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TimberValley

(318 posts)

13. "Honest mistakes" should still be suable, just like any other industry.

Reply to dsc (Reply #11)

Tue Apr 9, 2013, 11:51 AM

Apr 2013

If a electrical-wiring contractor, for instance, makes an honest mistake with something that causes a fire to break out someone's house, that's an honest mistake, but they can still be sued for the damage caused by that person's house burning down.

Just because a mistake was made without malice doesn't mean the people who made the mistake should not be made to suffer a penalty of some sort.

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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