Reel Harm: Negligence Liability for Psychiatric Harm Sustained by Reality Television Contestants

The advent of reality television programs, such as cooking competitions, matchmaking, and adventure programs, has seen an increase in adverse effects on reality television contestants’ mental health, including psychiatric conditions, bullying, online trolling, and suicides in extreme cases. This article shines a spotlight on this emerging legal issue by exploring the possible avenues for reality television contestants to claim compensation for mental harm. The article discusses Prince v Seven Network (Operations) Ltd and Green v Seven Network (Operations) Ltd, and the impact these decisions are likely to have. Through a Victorian lens, the authors explore compensation avenues under statutory schemes, common law claims, breach of statutory duty and contractual issues. The authors contend that no-fault statutory compensation schemes (where contestants are characterised as workers) are the most appropriate avenue for compensation, to ensure that psychologically fragile contestants are spared protracted litigation proceedings.