US Courts Rule that it's Legal for the Media to Lie and Misreport the Truth - Dallas Dance Music - Dallas nightlife, music, tickets, and more

03-20-03, 12:05 PM

http://www.sierratimes.com/03/02/28/arpubmg022803.htm

Appellate Court Rules Media Can Legally Lie.
By Mike Gaddy
Published 02. 28. 03 at 19:31 Sierra Time

On February 14, a Florida Appeals court ruled there is absolutely nothing illegal about lying, concealing or distorting information by a major press organization. The court reversed the $425,000 jury verdict in favor of journalist Jane Akre who charged she was pressured by Fox Television management and lawyers to air what she knew and documented to be false information. The ruling basically declares it is technically not against any law, rule, or regulation to deliberately lie or distort the news on a television broadcast.
On August 18, 2000, a six-person jury was unanimous in its conclusion that Akre was indeed fired for threatening to report the station's pressure to broadcast what jurors decided was "a false, distorted, or slanted" story about the widespread use of growth hormone in dairy cows. The court did not dispute the heart of Akre's claim, that Fox pressured her to broadcast a false story to protect the broadcaster from having to defend the truth in court, as well as suffer the ire of irate advertisers.

Fox argued from the first, and failed on three separate occasions, in front of three different judges, to have the case tossed out on the grounds there is no hard, fast, and written rule against deliberate distortion of the news. The attorneys for Fox, owned by media baron Rupert Murdock, argued the First Amendment gives broadcasters the right to lie or deliberately distort news reports on the public airwaves.

In its six-page written decision, the Court of Appeals held that the Federal Communications Commission position against news distortion is only a "policy," not a promulgated law, rule, or regulation.

Fox aired a report after the ruling saying it was "totally vindicated" by the verdict.

Adam D · 03-20-03, 01:30 PM

The only legal protection I know of in this area are libel and slander laws which would have to be invoked by any individual directly harmed by distorting the news.

That is, however, a perfect demonstration of how terrible the mainstream media is in the US.

djmerritt · 03-20-03, 01:44 PM

they never aired their story on the Fox network. the affiliate did do some BS to them by firing Jane Akre & I believe the other guy was Steve Wilson (he worked with Jane). They got fired for not doing what the bosses asked... really shitty, but thats what happened. but this Sierra article is distorting the case big time.

on a side note- when I was in Debate, we were not allowed to quote anything from Sierra- they are regarded as a joke & way off base in most cases. notice how they turn this into a "Courts allow Media to Lie" article? when in actuality- they got their story on a different network and Fox was not vendicated for letting them go. the station was punnished on violation of the Whistleblowers Act. and also- it was just some Fox affiliate in Florida, not the conglomerate.

it blows big time that the original was overturned!!! total BS!!! There has been another appeal filed and they are certain they will get it overturned & they should get their moneys.

03-20-03, 11:38 PM

freedom of speech includes freedom to tell lies... someday people in this country will learn not to believe everything they see on the news..

03-20-03, 12:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
Oblique Guest Posts: n/a	US Courts Rule that it's Legal for the Media to Lie and Misreport the Truth http://www.sierratimes.com/03/02/28/arpubmg022803.htm Appellate Court Rules Media Can Legally Lie. By Mike Gaddy Published 02. 28. 03 at 19:31 Sierra Time On February 14, a Florida Appeals court ruled there is absolutely nothing illegal about lying, concealing or distorting information by a major press organization. The court reversed the $425,000 jury verdict in favor of journalist Jane Akre who charged she was pressured by Fox Television management and lawyers to air what she knew and documented to be false information. The ruling basically declares it is technically not against any law, rule, or regulation to deliberately lie or distort the news on a television broadcast. On August 18, 2000, a six-person jury was unanimous in its conclusion that Akre was indeed fired for threatening to report the station's pressure to broadcast what jurors decided was "a false, distorted, or slanted" story about the widespread use of growth hormone in dairy cows. The court did not dispute the heart of Akre's claim, that Fox pressured her to broadcast a false story to protect the broadcaster from having to defend the truth in court, as well as suffer the ire of irate advertisers. Fox argued from the first, and failed on three separate occasions, in front of three different judges, to have the case tossed out on the grounds there is no hard, fast, and written rule against deliberate distortion of the news. The attorneys for Fox, owned by media baron Rupert Murdock, argued the First Amendment gives broadcasters the right to lie or deliberately distort news reports on the public airwaves. In its six-page written decision, the Court of Appeals held that the Federal Communications Commission position against news distortion is only a "policy," not a promulgated law, rule, or regulation. Fox aired a report after the ruling saying it was "totally vindicated" by the verdict.

03-20-03, 01:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
Adam D Feline Leukemia Survivor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Law School Posts: 7,755	The only legal protection I know of in this area are libel and slander laws which would have to be invoked by any individual directly harmed by distorting the news. That is, however, a perfect demonstration of how terrible the mainstream media is in the US. __________________ This is my signature.

03-20-03, 01:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
djmerritt limo driver Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,126	they never aired their story on the Fox network. the affiliate did do some BS to them by firing Jane Akre & I believe the other guy was Steve Wilson (he worked with Jane). They got fired for not doing what the bosses asked... really shitty, but thats what happened. but this Sierra article is distorting the case big time. on a side note- when I was in Debate, we were not allowed to quote anything from Sierra- they are regarded as a joke & way off base in most cases. notice how they turn this into a "Courts allow Media to Lie" article? when in actuality- they got their story on a different network and Fox was not vendicated for letting them go. the station was punnished on violation of the Whistleblowers Act. and also- it was just some Fox affiliate in Florida, not the conglomerate. it blows big time that the original was overturned!!! total BS!!! There has been another appeal filed and they are certain they will get it overturned & they should get their moneys. __________________ ---------------- Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, iPod in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!" UPDATE TONYA JOHNSON is now 18 and has 3 kids by 4 different baby daddy's. Currently residing in a Florida trailer park with her mom. Last edited by djmerritt; 03-20-03 at 01:53 PM.

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03-20-03, 11:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
reazon1 Guest Posts: n/a	freedom of speech includes freedom to tell lies... someday people in this country will learn not to believe everything they see on the news..