Hickson V. Channel 4
It is clear that this case falls within the boundaries of the defamation act. However, there are many reasonable and debatable questions within these boundaries. It is also clear that channel 4 is suitable and fits all the guidelines for the Actual Malice rule. Although channel 4 has made claims that the faulty claims made in their publication of the death of Mrs Hickson’s daughter on December 4, 2002 was simply an honest mistake and regurgitation of the information relayed by the AP. I find this statement bearing no truth due to the fact channel 4’s story doesn’t abide to the facts presented in AP story, therefore inflicting various negative implications on Mrs. Hickson’s reputation, economical stability and mental health.
Channel 4 is clearly a public resource/figure that is very much suitable for the Actual Malice rule. Generally one cannot be guilty of actual malice due to the failure to investigate the truth of the allegations. For this very reason the AP story has done nothing wrong besides commit a honest journalistic mistake, which is not grounds for persecution. Although channel 4’s story bears resemblance to the story printed by the AP there is obvious fabrications within their story, which is clearly reckless regard for the truth.
Regarding defamation on Mrs. Hickson’s behalf, it is also clear that channel 4’s article has inflicted permanent damage on her character and public respect. There are clear false statements of fact fabricated by channel 4 not to mentions it is evident that Mrs. Hickson was at home during the death of her daughter and it is not fair for her to catch the grief of being an irresponsible single parent (harm to Hickson’s reputation). These statements are obviously of and concerning Mrs. Hickson. Mrs. Hickson accusations of channel 4 making and example of her may not be true however they are reasonable and futher the damage done by the alleged fabrications sated by channel 4. Mrs. Hickson has also suffered some serious mental health issues that have cost outstanding amounts of money and have been partially fueled by the misrepresentations of her daughter’s death by channel 4’s publications of the event (clear evidence of damage). Mrs. Hickson’s has lost the respect of the community and this has made it difficult for her to find a reputable job or simply be socially accepted. Most importantly, channels 4’s Reckless disregard for the truth has thus cost her 16 months of unemployment and the loss of future income.
Renee Heikamp, 19, and case worker from the Catholic Children’s Aid Society (CCAS), Angie Martin, were charged with criminal negligence resulting in the 1997 death of newborn baby, Jordan Heikamp. The charges were dropped shortly after Jordan’s death, due to a lack of evidence from the investigation of a 63-day inquest. (CBC, 2001). Renee Heikamp and her baby were residing at the Anduhyaun shelter that services Aboriginal women fleeing abuse during the time of his death. Jordan Heikamp had starved to death, weighing only 4 pounds, 4 ounces less than what he weighed at his pre-mature birth, in May 1997; a photograph shown to witnesses at the inquest revealed the corpse of the baby who was little more than a skeleton.
was cleared. The tribulations of these women show just how far fear will allow people to push
Jeffry Masson filed a suit for defamation against New Yorker Magazine, claiming that publishing the so called fabrications had hurt his reputation. Defamation is defined as “a false communication that harms another’s reputation and subjects him to ridicule and scorn” (Trager, 2010, p. 52). The quotations that Masson was the most upset about were being called an “intellectual gigolo” as well as being called “the greatest analyst who ever lived” (Masson v. New Yorker Magazine, 1991). In court Masson was declared a public figure and had to ...
The media has taken the Hannah Graham case by storm - it has gotten local, national, and even international coverage. For the past month, I have seen a new article about the case almost everyday. I watched it slowly go from local newspapers in Charlottesville that had been posted by friends who go to UVA who were hoping people would know of her whereabouts, to articles in CNN talking about how Jesse Matthew (the suspect) is a serial rapist and murderer. The case presents itself as a very intriguing case - completely Law and Order SVU worthy with all the twists and turns. However, with all of this public interest in the case, some news outlets are sensationalizing information or even reporting false facts in order to seem as if they have the
Leslie Silko certainly makes accusations that some could argue far exceed the boundaries of journalism integrity, and fail to deliver with evidence to back them up.
For instance, in the book to Kill a Mockingbird, or “TKAM” for short, when Miss Stephanie Crawford says “ Boo was sitting in the living room cutting some items from the Maycomb Tribune… Boo drove scissors into his parents’ legs.. and resumed his activities”(lee 11). Miss Stephanie Crawford had told two children this by the names of Jem and Scout Finch, the main characters in the story. Miss Stephanie Crawford was not at the event that she so claimed was true, therefore she had no idea of who this child really was like, or if he had even done these acts as she so gratefully told.These rumors are never known to be the truth or not, however people still spread them everywhere with no regard for the victims own life.
Nigel Covington, editor of The National Report gives a brief summary at the end of his article stating that James Holmes, who murdered twelve people in a movie theater, will only be charged with illegally parking his car in a handicapped parking spot when he murdered the victims. After already dropping the charges because Holmes is white, it turns out he is not above the law and will have to pay an eighty dollar fine for parking in handicap parking (Covington). Covington makes a mockery about the fact that the only punishment a man who killed twelve people will get a measly fine for parking in the wrong
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Health care fraud cases continue to be problematic for health care systems and providers across the United States. According to Pozgar (2012), these cases not only pose financial burdens on the accused, but may also lead to unnecessary risks to patients. A violation against the Federal False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729-33, is one example of health care fraud that often enters into a settlement agreement. It is important to mention violations against the Federal False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729-33, often allude to physician kickbacks as well (a violation against the Anti-Kickback Statute).
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Internet a bad name. There is also information on the Net that could be harmful
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“...a libellous statement of fact made in the course of political discussion is free from liability if published in good faith. Liability arises only if the writer knew the statement was not true or if he made the statement recklessly, not caring wheth...