Substantial truth definition
Substantial truth means that the respondent must prove that every material part of each imputation is true: Channel Seven Sydney Pty Ltd v Mahommed (2010) 278 ALR 232; [2010] NSWCA 335 at [138] per McColl JA (Spigelman CJ, Beazley JA, McClellan CJ at CL, and Bergin CJ in Eq agreeing). A “material part” is any detail which alters or aggravates the character of the imputations: Rofe v Smith’s Newspapers Ltd (1924) 25 SR (NSW) 4 at 22 per Street ACJ. That is, to succeed on a defence of justification it is not necessary to establish that every part of an imputation is literally true; it is sufficient if the “sting” or gravamen of an imputation is true.