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dsc

(53,388 posts)

11. well if you go too far then you have the English system

Reply to TimberValley (Original post)

Tue Apr 9, 2013, 11:08 AM

Apr 2013

where Liberace was able to sue and win when he was called gay. The problem with the if it is false, you lose standard, is that if you over punish honest mistakes it will have a chilling effect. Under your standard Bush could have sued Rather over his AWOL report.

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The requirement for convicting a media source of libel ought to be much lower. [View all] TimberValley Apr 2013 OP

The tricky thing is proving they knew it wasn't true or that reasonable reporting should have el_bryanto Apr 2013 #1

OK, but maybe they should be made to pay compensation or some sort of penalty TimberValley Apr 2013 #2

It sounds good - but it could have a chilling effect on discourse el_bryanto Apr 2013 #3

If the information is false, though, why shouldn't such reporters be punished? TimberValley Apr 2013 #4

The bar has to be high to discourage frivolous lawsuits hack89 Apr 2013 #5

Freedom of press shouldn't apply if the information is false. TimberValley Apr 2013 #6

I want the government to be scared of the press hack89 Apr 2013 #8

What I had in mind in the OP wasn't so much the government, but individuals. TimberValley Apr 2013 #9

+1 onenote Apr 2013 #7

What is required is a clear distinction between observed fact and opinion. bemildred Apr 2013 #10

well if you go too far then you have the English system dsc Apr 2013 #11

True, but some media sources could also disguise intentional falsehood as honest mistakes. n/t. TimberValley Apr 2013 #12

"Honest mistakes" should still be suable, just like any other industry. TimberValley Apr 2013 #13

Here is why we have this standard dsc Apr 2013 #14

for non-public figures that is the law. onenote Apr 2013 #15