State high court recognizes confidential-source privilege: source of disciplinary report will remain secret

Article Abstract:

The South Dakota Supreme Court ruled in Hopewell v. Midcontinent Broadcasting Corp. that reporters do have a qualified privilege against disclosing confidential sources in civil trials. In a case involving a newspaper story regarding a judicial candidate, the Supreme Court adopted a five-part test that balances the interests of litigants, the press and the public. The court noted that the privilege is not being extended to criminal cases.

Media coverage, Confidential communications, Journalistic privilege, South Dakota, Judicial candidates

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Court upholds verdict, but finds damages based on improper expert testimony

Article Abstract:

The Delaware Supreme Court partially upheld a trial court ruling of libel against the Wilmington News Journal for a story accusing a doctor of breaching medical ethics by recommending an improper hysterectomy. The court found, however, that the damages awarded to the doctor were based on expert evidence lacking an admissible foundation.

Delaware

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