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FALSE LIGHT

RTV 101

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FOUR CATEGORIES OF

PRIVACY TORTS

False Light

Misappropriation

IntrusionPublication ofPrivate Facts

PrivacyTorts

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FALSE LIGHT

Involves untrue factual implications.

Video + Audio

FALSE IMPRESSION OF SOMEONE

Privacy Torts

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MISAPPROPRIATION

Use of someone else's name, likeness, or

other personal attributes without

permission for an exploitative purpose.

(i.e. Alison Chang versus Virgin Mobile

Australia and Creative Commons)

Privacy Torts

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INTRUSION

A violation committed when one gathers

private information or takes photographs

or video of people engaged in private

activities in places where they couldreasonably expect to be private.

Privacy Torts

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PUBLICATION OF PRIVATE

FACTS

A violation committed for publishing

private facts about a person even if those

facts are true.

(i.e. writing about a person's HIV status,

sexual orientation, or financial troubles

could lead to liability for publication ofprivate facts)

Privacy Torts False Light

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BOUNDARIES

How far should reporters go to get a story?

If reporters have a strong suspicion thatsomeone in government is a crook, dont

they have the right to do whatever it takes

to report the story to the public?

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TYPES OF FALSE LIGHT

1. Distortion arrangement of materials of

photographs to give a false impression.

2. Embellishment false material added to

a story places someone in a false light.

3. Fictionalization involves making

reference to real people or presenting

thinly disguised characters that clearlyrepresent real people in supposedly

untrue stories.

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REQUIREMENTS

The defendant published the

information widely;

The publication identifies the plaintiff;

It places the plaintiff in a "false light" that

would be highly offensive to a

reasonable person; and

The defendant was at fault in publishing

the information.

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DISCLAIMER

1. Truth does not excuse false light

2. False Light claims are not for everyone

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FALSE LIGHT AND

DEFAMATION

Defamation

protects a person's

public reputation

could be made to only afew people

does not require

offensiveness so longas the statementactually harmed thereputation of the plaintiff

False Light

remedies the victim of a

false statement for hisor her emotionaldistress.

untrueimplications ratherthan directly falsestatements

False Light

plaintiff must show that

the defendant actedwith knowledge of thefalsity or recklessdisregard for the truth

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FALSE LIGHT DEFENSE:

Individual was not identified. Privileged source.

Actual malice/negligence proof required by

plaintiff.

Not offensive to a reasonable person, but

we don't know the standard.

Consent.

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AVOIDING FALSE LIGHT

CLAIMS

Follow good journalistic practices.

Strive to be as accurate as possible.

Use reliable sources.

Seek comment from the subjects of yourstatements, when appropriate.

Document your research.

Keep an eye out for "Red Flag" statements. Be cautious when publishing negative

information about businesses

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AVOIDING FALSE LIGHT

CLAIMS

Where possible, get consent from the people

you cover.

Be willing to correct or retract your mistakes.

Ensure that your work is covered by allapplicable privileges.

Fair Report Privilege

Neutral Report Privilege

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REFERENCES

Foreman, G. (2009). The ethical journalist: Makingresponsible decision in the pursuit of news.

Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell

Stephens, M. (2004) (4th

ed). Broadcast news.Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publication Co.

Turow, J. (2009) (3rd ed). Media today: An

introduction to mass communication.

Jacksonville, TX, USA: Taylor & Francis, Inc.White, T. (2005) (4th ed). Broadcast news: Writing,

reporting, and producing. Boston: Focal Press

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ONLINE REFERENCES

http://www.citmedialaw.org/legal-guide/false-lighthttp://www.citmedialaw.org/legal-guide/using-name-or-likeness-another

http://www.citmedialaw.org/legal-guide/gathering-private-information

http://www.citmedialaw.org/legal-guide/publication-private-facts

http://www.tennesseedefenselitigation.com/BlogEntry.aspx?id=62

http://netlaw.samford.edu/Martin/AdvancedTorts/falselight.htm

http://www.cas.okstate.edu/jb/faculty/senat/jb3163/privacytorts.html

http://www.citmedialaw.org/legal-guide/california-false-light

http://www.aaronkellylaw.com/internet-defamation-laws/the-privacy-tort-

of-false-light-explained-by-an-internet-lawyer-in-plain-english/http://public.getlegal.com/articles/false-light

http://www.mediaprof.com/programs/media-

liability_tv_broadcaster_claims_examples.asp

http://www.citmedialaw.org/legal-guide/practical-tips-avoiding-liability-

associated-harms-reputation