8 chapters across the catalog
Donald Trump participated in a fawning interview with GB News where he discussed potential litigation against the BBC for egregious reporting. Trump emphasized that the goal of such a lawsuit would be to reach the discovery phase to uncover internal communications and determine how often the organization has targeted individuals.
The hosts discuss the importance of avoiding libel and slander in independent media, referencing lessons learned from tech pioneer Adam Osborne. They emphasize that calling someone a "crook" without a conviction is a legal risk, whereas public figures have a higher threshold for proving defamation. The conversation underscores the "grind" of maintaining a show while navigating legal boundaries.
JFK Assassination Witness List, Libel Law for the Dead
A comprehensive list of individuals associated with the JFK assassination who died under mysterious circumstances continues to circulate among researchers. The list includes numerous "accidental" deaths, such as hunting accidents and falls, occurring well into the 1990s. Legal experts note that while the dead cannot be defamed under standard libel law, estates can still pursue litigation if the use of a deceased person's image or brand harms an ongoing business interest.
A personal anecdote regarding a two-day seminar with a libel lawyer during the writing of a book about Adam Osborne highlights the legal boundaries of public criticism. The discussion notes that calling someone a "criminal" before a conviction is a primary source of libel. However, libel laws generally do not apply to the deceased, which explains the surge in controversial documentaries about figures like Michael Jackson.
ABC News and other networks are heavily reporting Michael Wolff's claims that Donald Trump is "unfit for office" and "like a child." The President responded by calling the book a work of fiction and suggesting that U.S. libel laws are too weak. The hosts argue that the media's focus on the President's mental health is a political strategy to maintain instability ahead of the 2018 midterm elections.
A circuit court ruling suggests that Christopher Steele could be compelled to testify in the United States due to the ongoing libel lawsuit against BuzzFeed. The hosts discuss the possibility of Steele being extradited from the UK, where libel laws are significantly stricter. They speculate that if Steele enters the U.S., Special Counsel Robert Mueller may attempt to secure his testimony regarding the dossier's origins.
Donald Trump's proposal to "open up" federal libel laws to make it easier to sue news organizations is critiqued. The current legal standards for libel and the difference between "slanted" reporting and actionable defamation are explained. Observations are also made regarding the fashion and behavior of television production crews at campaign events.
Senator Chuck Schumer argues that no constitutional amendment is absolute, comparing campaign finance limits to laws against child pornography and shouting "fire" in a theater. He advocates for a "balancing test" for the First and Second Amendments. The hosts list the early signatories of the amendment, including Tom Udall, Barbara Boxer, and Al Franken, while criticizing their legislative IQ.
