The law and the media Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

The integrity and the media - Essay ExampleWhen defamation is established, there is a legal presumption of deceptiveness (Defamation).A piece by the Washington post related to a weight lifting bus topology, Mr. Bob Hoffman stated that the coach interchange valueless protein supplements called Hoffmans high protein tablets. The article also clearly depicted that Hoffman also drove a Rolls Royce car and many of his athletes were discovered later to be using the banned anabolic steroids. Hoffman sued the newsworthinesspaper stating that the news gave an impression that he supplemented himself by selling the protein tablets. The newsprint made counterclaims that the statements they collected were from individuals and there is no movement of defamation. The law of defamation fully states or recognizes that right is a complete defense, but defamation vitrines which atomic number 18 not direct, as in the above case always smudge the line between truth and fabrication. An article w hich is factually correct will omit or may imply fictionally a material fact that will make the article harmful like a truly false report. Even though the weight lifting coach sold protein enriched tablets to his athletes, the fact that it contained anabolic steroids had no evidential support. The newspaper had published the article without undergoing scientific trials to establish the truth of their claim. Therefore the article was truly a case of defamation. Even courts have struggled to give a clear and true(a) verdict to this matter. The media cannot defend false statements as facts. It is also not possible to defend on the basis of an omitted fact. The case of defamation against Mr. Hoffman is a true case of defamation because the newspaper has published false statement that caused loss of name and reputation for the coach in front of the public. The media should not use its influence and coverage to gain undue weightage among its readers by publishing defamatory articles (C ohn).Privacy can