'Food Lion' endangers muckrakers

Article Abstract:

The federal district court ruling against the defendant in Food Lion v. Capital Cities/ABC, Inc. threatens press ability to gather news and give it to the public accurately. ABC received credible reports that a grocery chain was selling spoiled meat. Journalists verified these reports after obtaining employment at the grocery chain under false pretenses. The verdict against ABC was for fraud and trespass. There is First Amendment protection for the reporting ABC did and a lawsuit alleging fraud tries to get around such protection if the reporting was in good faith.

Cases, Fraud, Television broadcasting of news, Television news, Trespass, Capital Cities/ABC Inc., Food Lion L.L.C., FDLNA

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Media cave despite high court support

Article Abstract:

Several incidents in the past year reveal a new timidity on the part of news organizations confronted with potential litigation over their stories. ABC and CBS both caved in the face of creative efforts by tobacco companies, which attacked the journalists' sources and their methods of acquiring damning documents. Business Week magazine likewise backed down when taken to task for some questionable actions relating to a legitimate story. In such an atmosphere, critical stories of the past would not have appeared.

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Law doesn't protect media irresponsibility

Article Abstract:

The media must use the concepts of fair report and neutral reportage carefully and responsibly when publishing material known to be false. Fair report is usually limited to official actions and is not applicable to unofficial police or prosecutorial statements. Most rulings have found that neutral reportage conflicts with the libel precedents established by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has also curtailed the media's opinion privilege. Suits can be filed over direct and implied imputations of crime.

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