MediaLawLetter October 2006

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MLRC

MLRC 2006 First Amendment Leadership Award – Transcript of Presentation
Solomon Watson IV of The New York Times

MLRC Media Law Conference 2006; The Next Big Thing

Legislative Update: Homeland Security and an Official Secrets Act

Ethics: Lateral Hiring, Imputed Disqualification and Screening – Finding the Way out of the Maze

LIBEL & PRIVACY

UK: House of Lords Delivers Landmark Libel Ruling
Restates Privilege for Responsible Journalism
Jameel v. Wall Street Journal

Fla. Dist. Ct. App.: Florida Appeals Court Reverses $18 Million False Light Verdict
False Light Subject to Libel Statute of Limitations
Anderson v. Pensacola News Journal

Kan. Dist. Ct.: $1.1 Million Jury Award in Libel Suit Over Arrest Report
Claimed Broadcast Implied He Was BTK Serial Killer
Valadez v. KSN-TV

E.D. Va.: Radio Host Wins SJ in Defamation Claim Involving Abu Ghraib
Statements Had to Be Viewed in Context
CACI v. Randi Rhodes & Piquant, LLC d/b/a Air America Radio

E.D. Va.: Magistrate Judge Orders NY Times to Reveal Sources in Libel Case
Plaintiff Has “Compelling Need” in Claims Over Anthrax Columns
Hatfill v. The New York Times Co.

Fla. Cir. Ct.: Court Upholds Reporter’s Privilege in Defamation Lawsuit
Plaintiff Could Not Overcome Shield Law
Gutman v. Orlando Sentinel Communications

N.D. Tex.: Texas Federal Court Applies Single Publication Rule to the Internet
Issue of First Impression in the State
Nationwide Bi-Weekly Administration, Inc. v. Belo Corp.

Ga. Cir. Ct.: Olympic Caller?
Jewell v. Atlanta Journal-Constitution Libel Case Headed Back to Appellate Court
Jewell v. Atlanta Journal-Constitution

D.D.C.: Sex, Lies and Gossip Columns
Plaintiff States Claim for Libel, False Light and Private Facts
Benz v. Washington Newspaper Publishing Company, LLC

Ohio Ct. App.: Summary Judgment Affirmed For Broadcaster Over “I-Team” Investigation
Opinion Defense and Lack of Negligence Support Dismissal
Fuchs v. Scripps Howard Broad. Co. d/b/a WCPO-TV

N.Y. Sup. Ct.: Allegations that “Con Artist” “Ripped off” and “Scammed” Customers Not Actionable
Statements Were Opinion and Privileged
Foley v. CBS Broad., Inc.

Cal. Ct. App.: Court Affirms Anti-SLAPP Ruling Over “Troubleshooter” Broadcast
Plaintiff Could Not Show Falsity or Negligence
CWE Enterprises v. McGraw-Hill Broad. Co., Inc.

Minn. Ct. App.: Broadcaster’s Report of Allegations Protected as Substantially True
Minnesota Court of Appeals Cites Importance of “Context”
Iverson v. Hubbard Broad. d/b/a KSTP-TV

E.D. Ky.: Ex-Wife Wins Bench Trial Over Book About Relationship With Her Ex
Judge Applied Strict Liability Standard
Lassiter v. Lassiter

Tex. Dist. Ct.: $500,000 Libel Verdict for Memo on Public Meeting
Memo Stated Participants’ Allegations Against Councilwoman as Fact
Jenkins v. Black Citizens for Justice, Law and Order

Wyo. Dist. Ct.: Court Dismisses Libel Suit on Grounds of Truth
Allegations Taken From Court Proceedings Protected
Cook v. Bushnell

REPORTERS PRIVILEGE

E.D. Va.: Magistrate Judge Orders NY Times to Reveal Sources in Libel Case
Plaintiff Has “Compelling Need” in Claims Over Anthrax Columns
Hatfill v. The New York Times Co.

Fla. Cir. Ct.: Court Upholds Reporter’s Privilege in Defamation Lawsuit
Plaintiff Could Not Overcome Shield Law
Gutman v. Orlando Sentinel Communications

INTERNATIONAL

U.K.: House of Lords Delivers Landmark Libel Ruling
Outlines Privilege for Responsible Journalism on Subjects of Public Interest
Jameel v. Wall Street Journal

IA: Court Inter-American Court Issues Landmark Ruling on Freedom of Information
Recognizes Fundamental Right to Access Information
Reyes v. Chile

ECHR: European Court of Human Rights Rules in Favor of Ukrainian Journalist
Reaffirms Protection for Reporting Allegations
Lyashko v. Ukraine