Criticism of a judicial officer's conduct in managing particular court proceedings does not constitute discussion of 'government or political matters' attracting the Lange defence of extended qualified privilege, at least where the criticism does not impact on executive government functions such as appointment or removal of judges. The reasonableness of publication under the Lange defence is a question for the judge, not the jury. A publisher's selective omission of material from court proceedings that would undermine the basis for defamatory commentary precludes a finding of reasonable conduct. A trial judge has power to reserve leave for judgment non obstante veredicto over the objection of a party.
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