Daily Telegraph forced to pay $100,000 to man defamed over Islamic protest

The NSW Supreme Court has awarded a man defamed by the publisher of The Daily Telegraph $100,000 over coverage of the 2012 Hyde Park riots.

Mounted police move in on an Islamic protest in Sydney's Hyde Park. (AAP) Source: AAP

A NSW man has successfully sued the publisher of The Daily Telegraph for $100,000 in damages over defamatory coverage of the 2012 Hyde Park riot.

Hamza Cheikho was among the crowds in Sydney's CBD who were rallying after the release of a YouTube video which was perceived to ridicule aspects of the Islamic faith.

Mr Cheikho launched the suit against Nationwide News Pty Ltd over four articles and the Supreme Court found they had impugned his reputation by asserting "as one of an angry mob, he took part in a riot".