12/06/2003
"False light" case continues
Another day in the "false light law suit. A contractor wants "billions" in damages for a feature he said failed to stress that his wife's shooting was a hunting accident not a crime. (AP version here.)
(Circuit Judge) Jones decided that the newspaper will not be allowed to introduce telephone records showing that Streater placed about 40 calls to Anderson Columbia officials and about 50 more to other law enforcement and government officials while preparing the investigative series.
If cases like this continue to move forward, we will be moving toward a English-style tort system without First Amendment protections for journalists.
(Circuit Judge) Jones decided that the newspaper will not be allowed to introduce telephone records showing that Streater placed about 40 calls to Anderson Columbia officials and about 50 more to other law enforcement and government officials while preparing the investigative series.
If cases like this continue to move forward, we will be moving toward a English-style tort system without First Amendment protections for journalists.
