Why Porter can’t claim victory after dropping ABC defamation case

In fact, the broadcaster does not even acknowledge that any serious mistake has been committed in that report by their journalist.

And the editor's note explicitly states that the ABC has no intention to suggest Porter has committed the alleged offence.

In another statement following Mr Porter's comments, the broadcaster stated:

The ABC has not said that it regrets the article. As we have stated, the ABC stands by the importance of the article, which reported on matters of significant public interest.

The article was not 'sensationalist'. It was an accurate and factual report on a letter that had been sent to the Prime Minister and two other senior politicians.

The ABC stands by our investigative and public interest journalism, which is always pursued in the interests of the Australian community.

The ABC stands by Louise Milligan, one of Australia's foremost and most awarded investigative journalists, and all our journalists in their independent and brave reporting on matters about which Australians have a right to be informed.

As can be seen, Porter had no right to claim victory when no such victory occurred.

Instead, now we, the taxpayers, will ultimately pay the costs of Porter and the ABC's legal counsel, who have been occupied with the mediation and defamation proceedings over the past few months.

Regardless of the outcome of this lawsuit, a shadow will continue forever to be cast on Porter's life and reputation.

The harm done never goes away, and there will be no final vindication nor any reversal of the calumnies or pain.