Thursday, April 14, 2011

American Idol Libel

Winowski does have a case for libel.

Winowski was "humiliated" because of this story, and had to quit her job. You could argue that the story did harm her reputation, and caused emotional damage. And, you have concrete proof of damages, as evidenced by her joblessness. The article already argues that the tabloid did not do their research, and the attorney claims the story was “entirely without foundation." She also does not count as a "public figure," considering the fact that she was only relevant five years ago.

Trend Ledes

5. Emma Dewitt could have been another statistic. After going out with friends on a Saturday night in Pullman, Wash., she woke up to find herself in Pullman Regional Hospital.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Libel

1. “Megan Fox is a man!” Headline on Weekly World News Web site

Not libelous. Megan Fox, as a celebrity, is not held to the same libel rights as an ordinary citizen.

2. “Up until the day he died, he was a brilliant writer. But the drugs made him a thief, a pimp and a liar,” said friend Karen Smith, who was with Johnson at the time of his death.

Not libelous. There is a quoted source, and Johnson is dead. It would be a different story if he were still alive.

3. “In my opinion, Kevin is a murdering rapist,” the prosecutor told the jury.

Not libelous. What was said is public knowledge since it was said in a court of law.

4. "In my opinion, he's a murdering rapist," the man said at the rally.

Libelous. There is no source listed. It could be the writer himself using a made-up source as a mouthpiece for his own opinion for all we know.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Ayman Mohyeldin Talk

Lede, Nut Graph:

Al-Jazeera English correspondent Ayman Mohyeldin spoke about his experiences covering the Egyptian revolution, and the importance of information through technology in a speech at Washington State University on Wednesday, March 31.

Mohyeldin spoke about the importance of the spread of information, and how it served as a catalyst for the revolution in Egypt. The role and sudden surge of popularity of Al-Jazeera English during the revolution was also discussed. Mohyeldin said while information was the catalyst, Al-Jazeera English served as a microphone for the people.

Questions:
- When was the first time you felt your life was threatened during your work?
- What similarities and differences do you see, comparing Al-Jazeera to American news networks, such as CNN, and Fox News?
- How did you get into journalism, in the first place? Why did you want to pursue this as a career?

Quotations:
- "It was a great privilege to have a front-row seat of a revolution."
- "The best kind of journalism begins on the streets with people who know, not parachute journalism, where we fly in big celebrity news correspondents, get them to interview people, then leave."