OAN slaps giant legal disclaimer on MyPillow CEO's election conspiracy special

[turbinetree]

By Brad Reed
Published February 05, 2021

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Trump-loving One America News is airing a special the touts conspiracy theories being peddled by MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell -- but not before slapping it with a giant legal disclaimer.

Just before the start of Lindell's election fraud conspiracy special, OAN posted a lengthy statement emphasizing that the special is not based on OAN's own reporting at all and is completely the product of Lindell.

"Mr. Lindell is the sole author and executive producer of this program and is solely and exclusively responsible for its content," OAN stated. "The topic of this broadcast is the 2020 election. OAN has undertaken its own reporting on this topic. This program is not the product of OAN's reporting."

https://www.rawstory.com/mypillow-conspiracy/

So OAN you provided a disclaimer, what exactly did you and your firm do prior to all of this, your like a day late and dollar short, just an example from another source....read the bottom paragraphs, back up your claims ......... So in closing OAN do you put this big disclaimer up every morning and afternoon and evening to remind the public that your new shows are not completely factual .........just asking.............

https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2021/01/11/dc-riots-how-newsmax-oan-conservative-outlets-fueled-mob/6589298002/

[mr_lebowski]

1. I really don't think a disclaimer at the beginning is sufficient. Should be a persistent chryon

stating, in so many words, that this is solely 'one man's opinion' or thereabouts.

[turbinetree]

6. Maybe they can even have the OAN twirling around like they have at Fix Noise

with the chyron underneath saying this station and cable broadcasting is not true, just to let you know...........and our sponsor's and products that you buy to support our BS is well BS News...........

[patphil]

7. I don't believe it's sufficient either.

If they didn't approve of it, why are they airing it?

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

2. We're pretty sure this is complete B.S. but we'll broadcast it anyway

If you're stupid enough to believe it it isn't our fault. Yeah, that sounds like a winning legal strategy.

[SoCalNative]

12. He paid them

to broadcast it for 12 hours straight, on a loop. So, there's that.

[Cirque du So-What]

3. Mikey's joined the national front

He always was a little runt

He’s got his hand in the air with the other c***s

You’ve got to humanize yourself

Rehumanize yourself!

[FSogol]

4. Wow, did they hire all the fired Trumpian lawyers? They are still giving a platform to Lindell

to spew his misinformation. They'll still be liable, won't they? (Hopefully one of DU's legal eagles can answer.)

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

8. They put themselves in a worse position

they are basically acknowledging that they know the content is likely false but are broadcasting it anyway. If Liindell implacates any company or individuals in his claims they've got an excellent case. Knowingly publishing false information is part of the "Sullivan" test that would allow public figures to overcome bars to libel and slander suits. It's a key element of how you demonstrate actual malice.The pre-emptive disclaimer doesn't absolve them of liability.

[FSogol]

10. Wouldn't a "The following is a paid advertisment..." disclaimer have been better for them?

Or would it be the same?

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

18. They have responsibility as the "publisher"

Just like a newspaper can't print libelous material just because it's in a letter to the editor or an op-ed, a television outlet can't hide behind "it's somebody other than us" speaking. It's why section 230 of the communitcations decency act is such a powerful shield for internet outlets. It shields them from the same liability other media outlets have for allowing defamatory content-hence the sewers known as Facebook and Twitter.

[FSogol]

19. Thanks. n/t

[BlueIdaho]

5. But they are still airing that shit - no?

I don’t think a disclaimer will carry much weight in court. They are going to lose their asses if they talk about crooked voting machines...

[Solly Mack]

9. LMAO

is not based on OAN's own reporting

But it is stuff you reported on as being true and factual just the same.

[safeinOhio]

11. Does My Pillow have a stock

we can short?

[jmowreader]

13. There are better ways

Get everyone you know to pledge that when you see a My Pillow in a store, you track down a manager, tell that person you refuse to spend any more money in that store until that product has been removed and shipped back to the manufacturer, then leave your cart with the manager and leave.

Lindell can deal with lowered stock valuation. He can’t deal with 53-foot trailers full of pillows hitting his loading dock.

[C_U_L8R]

14. Who's paying who here?

Follow the money. Fuck the disclaimers. OAN owns this. And they made the decision to run it.

[turbinetree]

15. Yepper spot on................

I want to know who the sponsors are on this cable feed of BS

[ooky]

16. If One Fascist America provides the content delivery platform

then it seems right they should still be liable for any reporting of lies that result in material damages to businesses from the slander.

This is just "we are declaring ourselves the right to allow others our platform to spread lies without any accountability to us".

[Initech]

17. Ooh! Can we have the Offspring sing it?