Computer service not responsible for libel
Article Abstract:
CompuServe Information Service was granted a motion for summary judgment in a case in which they were sued for libel. The US District Court for the Southern District of New York ruled that computer information services are distributors, not publishers, and therefore are not liable for defamatory statements found in information compiled and published by others. The court applied the same standard of liability to computer information services as to bookstores and libraries, stating that applying a higher standard would violate the First Amendment.
Publication Name: News Media & the Law
Subject: Literature/writing
ISSN: 0149-0737
Year: 1992
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Opinions admissible in libel case
Article Abstract:
The South Carolina Supreme Court has ruled that an ambiguous statement can be libelous on its face and, therefore, testimony on the meaning of the statement is admissible. The mother of a murdered 17-year-old girl sued the Florence Morning News for stating that her daughter had not received family support to continue her education, implying in the statement that the mother was unfit. The newspaper argued that the statement was not ambiguous and could only be libelous per quod and had to be proved libelous by extrinsic facts.
Publication Name: News Media & the Law
Subject: Literature/writing
ISSN: 0149-0737
Year: 1992
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Alabama court send libel case back to jury
Article Abstract:
The Alabama Supreme Court has ruled that there is sufficient evidence to warrant a trial before a jury in a libel suit arising from a political campaign commercial. Billy Joe Camp sued the advertising firm of his opponent for the post of Alabama secretary of state for libel, but a lower court granted summary judgment to the firm. The state Supreme Court reversed the summary judgment and remanded the case to trial.
Publication Name: News Media & the Law
Subject: Literature/writing
ISSN: 0149-0737
Year: 1992
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- Abstracts: Court tells police to release reports or show harm. Civilian complaints of police misconduct must be released
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