Some of Australia’s biggest media outlets have lost an appeal to a decision that has found them responsible for allegedly defamatory comments attached to stories they published on Facebook.

Former Don Dale Detainee Dylan Voller is suing Fairfax Media, Sky News and Nationwide News over comments made about him on stories they published on the social media platform.

Last year a New South Wales Supreme Court judge ruled the media companies are liable for comments made on stories they published on the platform.

Media academic Dr Margaret Simons isn’t surprised the media outlets lost their appeal, saying the principals of defamation are still the same on social media.