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Politics : Polite Political Discussion- is it Possible? An Experiment. -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Ron who wrote (1467)	9/11/2006 9:38:58 PM
From: epicure	Respond to of 1695

I remember some fights in the media in the UK about libel. I really wasn't paying much attention. It was the run up to Mr. Bush's election part deux, and I was mostly scanning the news for tidbits on the US races.

To: Ron who wrote (1467)	9/12/2006 12:21:19 AM
From: Bread Upon The Water	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1695

As Eleutheria has pointed out this is not quite the situation you are describing. Those legal standards which you and others have pointed out go to honest opinion exchanged about public figures, or "news" stories that get the facts wrong. This matter isn't either of those categories and that is why I think it might be in a legally grey area and why new legislation may be needed. ABC seeking to shield itself from both public opinion and possible FCC penalties has sought to classify this as a "dramatazation" of the event. But how much drama can you use in a historical event that is not presented accurately and that represents living people? If the show presented the then President Clinton and his Secretary of State in an amorous relationship can the producers be shielded from legal liability claiming it is drama? (These are rhetorical questions.) You see the problem right? Now wouldn't the remedy to be to have the same liability standard apply no matter what the label? Under the reckless disregard of the truth standard you would think the problem would resolve itself--No?