What if the public figure is the President? Is the press obligated to edit their news in such a way to make him look good, or not look bad? Was it libel for them to edit clips to make Bush look stupid?RossA wrote:If the public figure lies about me, I want a court reviewing the lies and taking appropriate action against the liar.ScottDLS wrote:Do we really need courts reviewing the editing and content of news about public figures and or events?
There's no doubt that Couric edited the show to make Phil Van Cleave look bad, but does that constitute libel or slander? Phil as the head of VCDL is a public figure. Are news organizations under a legal obligation not to edit their product in such a way as to 'push' for their cause? If NRA TV edits a clip of Shannon Watts to make her look stupid, are they also legally obligated to PROVE that she IS?
Hillary tried to get Citizens United prosecuted for making a movie about her. I'm sure they edited it to make her look bad, but their speech is protected.