"Reality and Myth" is a scholarly book that examines the impact of defamation laws on media freedom in New Zealand. Based on an empirical study conducted between 2001 and 2002, the book investigates whether these laws have a chilling effect on the media and whether they lead to the suppression or alteration of stories with significant public interest. The results of the study are illustrated through a variety of graphs and tables, providing a detailed analysis of media ownership structures in New Zealand as well as a comparison of relevant defamation laws in other jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom and Australia. This book is aimed at legal professionals, academics, and students interested in defamation law, freedom of speech, and media regulation, and is also relevant for practitioners engaged in empirical research.