Erin Molan and Daily Mail settle defamation battle, with no damages awarded

The defamation case brought by high-profile journalist Erin Molan against the Daily Mail Australia has been resolved.

Sky News Australia presenter Erin Molan. Picture: Liam Kidston

The long-running defamation battle brought by high-profile journalist Erin Molan against the Daily Mail Australia website has been resolved in mediation, with no damages awarded and both sides agreeing to pay their own costs.

Molan initiated proceedings in response to a June 2020 article drawing attention to her on-air mispronunciation of the names of Pacific Islander footballers.

The Sky News Australia presenter used the phrase “hooka looka mooka hooka fooka” – in reference to players’ names – during a discussion on 2GB’s Continuous Call Team program in May 2020.

Molan claimed the Daily Mail article portrayed her as ­racist. Last year the Federal Court awarded the journalist a damages payout of $150,000.

The Daily Mail appealed the court’s finding, and the appeals court set aside the payment and ordered the case to be re-tried before judge Robert Bromwich on the grounds that he had not seen all of the relevant evidence during the first trial.

The matter was settled in ­mediation this week before the commencement of the retrial.

In a statement on Thursday, the Daily Mail said: “Daily Mail Australia alleged that Ms Molan had engaged in racist behaviour, with Ms Molan having denied that she had engaged in any such conduct.

“Both parties are happy with the resolution of the proceedings, which involved each party paying their own costs, but did not involve Daily Mail Australia paying any damages to Ms Molan.”

Molan, who also is a host on Sydney radio station 2DayFM, was approached for comment, but did not respond.