Editor threatens to sue over climate tweets

Australia faces what's believed to be its first defamation case involving Twitter.

The editor-in-chief of The Australian is threatening to sue a journalism academic over claims published on Twitter that he told a staff member what to write in regards to the paper's coverage of climate change.

Ms Posetti tweeted alleged quotes made yesterday by Asa Walhquist at a journalism conference at the University of Technology, Sydney.

Mitchell says he contacted Walhquist after the tweets were made and he sent her an email saying he had "never spoken" to her about any of her stories.

Mitchell says he is suing Ms Posetti because he believes new media should not be exempt from the "normal laws of the land".

Ms Posetti says she is "seeking advice" before making further comment.