5A Defamation : Who can be Sued?
Any person who causes or is responsible for the publication or broadcast of a defamatory statement can be sued e.g. writer, producer, director, editor, interviewee, broadcaster, even, in the case of a book, the printers or the newsagents or booksellers.
There is a common misconception that because a libellous remark is made by a contributor or interviewee in a programme and not in commentary, the film-makers/broadcaster cannot be held legally responsible. This is incorrect. The broadcaster and film-makers are liable as contributing to the publication of the libel.