Posted: June 20th, 2017

You are editor of the Student Times. On Wednesday, you reported that police arrested your school’s custodian, John Doe, over the weekend for driving under the influence (DUI). On Thursday, you received a call from John’s lawyer. It turns out it was actually Jack Doe, John’s uncle, that was arrested, and John is planning to sue the newspaper for libel.

You are editor of the Student Times. On Wednesday, you reported
that police arrested your school’s custodian, John Doe, over the
weekend for driving under the influence (DUI). On Thursday, you
received a call from John’s lawyer. It turns out it was actually Jack
Doe, John’s uncle, that was arrested, and John is planning to sue the
newspaper for libel. Which of the following will be least helpful to
your defense?
a. Before publishing the story, your reporter learned that John is an
ex-con. The reporter also took a photo of several beer-themed
posters hanging in the cleaning supply closet where John keeps his
equipment.
b. Before publishing the story, your reporter obtained a copy of the
police blotter and accurately reported the information it contained.
(Unfortunately, the arresting police officer had written down the
wrong name.)
c. Your reporter called and left three messages on John’s home
answering machine seeking comment the day before the story ran.
d. Both you and your reporter believed the story was accurate when
you published it.