Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: Republic
You're right. She should be able to sue CNN for "Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress" or "Mental anguish and emotional distress."

A Message about Reporting Methods: Make No Mistake

"These prominent cases reflect the strategies other individuals and corporations are using to battle back when they feel harmed by news reports. More plaintiffs are using elements of privacy law to attack the newsgathering techniques of reporters and photographers as they cover accidents, drug raids, and shady business practices. And, in some cases, the torts of intrusion and intentional infliction of emotional distress are central issues in the complaint. While truth remains a core defense in defamation cases, juries are increasingly using the behavior of journalists as a measuring stick for wrongdoing. Jurors don’t buy the "ends justifies the means" argument when the methods are unethical.

Intentional infliction of emotional distress is the legal cousin of an ethical failure to show compassion...harm is about legal liability and it is about ethical responsibility. Jurors may be casting ballots about fraud, intrusion and trespass. However, their views are bound to be affected by matters of journalistic fairness, balance, honesty and professionalism. To borrow a familiar phrase, and edit it to make the point, "It’s the ethics, stupid."

17 posted on 02/01/2002 3:31:22 PM PST by spycatcher
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies ]


To: spycatcher
Glad to know that, thanks. You know, she is sitting out there somewhere right now, having no doubt heard that CNN's report was later deemed premature and false, probably dazed and aching from at first hearing earlier today that her husband, whom she has been so worried about, so crushed upon seeing the gun to his head, his powerlessness in the face of arab thugs, had, indeedmurdered. CNN caused her the greatest anguish of all.....you cannot go lower.

I hate CNN for causing this pain. And for what, RATINGS? They would put even ONE HUMAN BEING thru such an atrocious nightmare (and mind you, this woman is PREGNANT with their very first child) makes me want to put a bumper sticker on my car saying 'CNN is the CLINTON NEWS NETWORK-where trashing citizens is a way of life'.

22 posted on 02/01/2002 3:41:07 PM PST by Republic
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson