That's not much of a defense because of the size of their audience.
Broadcasting something across the country that was heard whispered by others is no defense against the accusations that their actions caused real, identifiable damages to those (the students) involved.
If they don't already know this, their lawyers are reminding them.
This may, just may, be an event which brings to an end their spurious form of journalism.
I prefer that they keep lying so that the public at least knows they skew the news, and that they have an agenda. They can still lie by omission and not be held accountable.