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Politics : PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Jorj X Mckie who wrote (232152)	2/28/2002 9:15:23 AM
From: bonnuss_in_austin	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 769667

Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual: SUMMARY OF FIRST AMENDMENT RULES The gist of the principles established in the cases discussed above may be summarized as follows: A. The Public Official Rule: the press enjoys great protection when it covers the affairs of public officials. In order to successfully sue for libel, a public official must prove actual malice. This means the public official must prove that the editor or reporter had knowledge that the facts were false or acted with reckless disregard of the truth. B. The Public Figure Rule: the rule is the same for public figures and public officials. That is, a public figure must prove actual malice. The problem is that it is very difficult in many cases to predict who will be classifies as a public figure. In general, there are two types of public figures: 1. General Purpose Public Figure: this is an individual who has assumed a role of special prominence in the affairs of society and occupies a position of persuasive power and influence. An example is the entertainer Johnny Carson. 2. Limited Purpose Public Figure: this is a person who has thrust himself or herself into the vortex of a public controversy in an attempt to influence the resolution of the controversy. An example would be a vocal scientist who had lectured and published articles in an attempt to influence a state legislature to ban fluoridation of water. bia