NCJ Number
1805
Date Published
1971
Length
356 pages
Annotation
LIBEL LAW IS NOT A PRODUCT OF ANY ONE PERIOD, BUT A COMPOSITE OF VARIOUS LAWS DEVELOPED OVER TIME IN U.S. HISTORY; IT IS FLUID ENOUGH TO EXPAND AND CONTRACT IN ACCORDANCE WITH PREVAILING VIEWS.
Abstract
THE EXPERIENCES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT ARE CHRONICLED IN ORDER TO TRACE THE EVOLUTION OF THE LAW AS IT APPLIES TO LIBELING PUBLIC OFFICIALS, IN AN ATTEMPT TO PROVIDE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF PRESENT DAY LEGAL PRINCIPLES AND, POSSIBLY, OF WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE FUTURE, TO EXAMINE NOT ONLY MODIFICATIONS IN PUBLIC POLICY, BUT ALSO HOW, WHEN, WHERE, AND, IN AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, WHY THEY OCCURRED, TO IDENTIFY THE TRENDS THAT HAVE DEVELOPED, AND TO PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE TREATMENT OF THE CHANGING LIBEL LAWS AS THEY AFFECT NEWSPAPER DISCUSSION OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS, IN AN EFFORT TO FAMILIARIZE JOURNALISTS WITH AN AREA OF JURISPRUDENCE CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH THEIR EVERYDAY ACTIVITY. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)