Article Abstract:
The Montana Supreme Court ruled in Lence v. Hagdone Investment Co that The Daily Inter Lake newspaper did not libel attorney John A. Lence with its report that a disciplinary complaint against him had been filed with the 'high court,' even though the filing was actually with the court's attorney review commission and no formal complaint was ever filed with the court. Lence had also contended that he was not a public official and the newspaper had no constitutional right to report on a private matter. The court ruled this irrelevant as long as the information was obtained lawfully.
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Article Abstract:
The US Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit has held that California's fair and true report privilege is applicable to out-of-court statements and that a judge may determine that applicability rather than a jury. Singer Engelbert Humperdinck had sued the National Enquirer over a report that he is HIV-infected, but the court found the article fair under the privilege.
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Article Abstract:
The Michigan Supreme Court ruled in Howe v. Detroit Free Press Inc that the wire service defense could be used in libel cases. The case involved the father of major league baseball pitcher Steve Howe, who sued for libel over a news story. The court agreed with Detroit Free Press, that the news service was not required to verify articles picked up from news wires.
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