On third thought look how little Jewell got from NBC:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Jewell#Libel_cases
Richard Jewell v. Piedmont College[edit]
Jewell filed suit against his former employer Piedmont College, Piedmont College President Raymond Cleere and college spokesman Scott Rawles.[9] Jewell’s attorneys contended that Cleere called the FBI and spoke to the Atlanta newspapers, providing them with false information on Jewell and his employment there as a security guard. Jewell’s lawsuit accused Cleere of describing Jewell as a “badge-wearing zealot” who “would write epic police reports for minor infractions.”[1]
Piedmont College settled for an undisclosed amount.[11]
Richard Jewell v. NBC[edit]
Jewell sued NBC News for this statement, made by Tom Brokaw: “The speculation is that the FBI is close to making the case. They probably have enough to arrest him right now, probably enough to prosecute him, but you always want to have enough to convict him as well. There are still some holes in this case”.[12] Even though NBC stood by its story, the network agreed to pay Jewell $500,000.[9]
Richard Jewell v. New York Post[edit]
On July 23, 1997, Jewell sued The New York Post for $15 million in damages and settled with the newspaper for an undisclosed amount.[13]
Richard Jewell v. Cox Enterprises (d.b.a. Atlanta Journal-Constitution)[edit]
Jewell also sued the Atlanta Journal-Constitution newspaper. According to Jewell, the paper’s headline, FBI suspects ‘hero’ guard may have planted bomb, “pretty much started the whirlwind”.[10] In one article, the Atlanta Journal compared Richard Jewell’s case to that of serial killer Wayne Williams.[14][15]
The newspaper was the only defendant that did not settle with Jewell. The lawsuit remained pending for several years, after having been considered at one time by the Supreme Court of Georgia, and had become an important part of case law regarding whether journalists could be forced to reveal their sources. The case was dismissed by Judge John R. Mather in December 2007, four months after Jewell’s death. The paper claimed this was proof of the accuracy of their coverage.[16]
CNN[edit]
Although CNN settled with Jewell for an undisclosed monetary amount, CNN maintained its coverage was fair and accurate.[17]
I think that if you really look at what NBC said about Jewell, it is at least arguably reasonable reporting. They did say it was speculation, after all, which it was.
I think NBC's position with the Zimmerman tape edit is a lot more difficult. They were overtly manipulative and inflammatory, actually altering the facts to make Zimmerman look bad, when they had the proof that the conversation didn't go the way they portrayed it. IMHO, no way they get off with a $500k, or even a $1mm settlement.