I am in the middle of a court case, a camp fire I was sure I put out, a forest fire starting nearby. There is an initial national park service release stating it started somewhere else. Hopefully there's evidence to show if I did or didn't start it.
But here's my yahoo question;
In the initial newspaper articles, the county sheriff was quoted as saying I lived in that area for eight months as a homeless transient. That is so untrue, I lived/worked there 3 months, 2 days, and moved into staff housing as soon as I got there.
Newspaper and radio articles across the state (WA) have been telling the story, including that I was living homeless there. Now the stories made it to my home town in (MI)
I am really upset about this, I guess the news is the news, and that I'm going through a court case about the fire is news. But I'm feeling my character is being slandered by this untruth started by the sheriff.
Any suggestions on how to handle this?
2006-10-01 16:13:24 · 5 answers · asked by Joy_Brigade 3 in News & Events ➔ Media & Journalism
Write your side of the story and either print/email to the editor of the paper concerned pointing out your reasons for doing so.
2006-10-02 01:32:00 · answer #1 · answered by renclrk 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no positive way to control someone else's "spin". The best thing you can do to prove your character is not to react to the defamation. If you bring up the topic, then you are only furthering the damage to yourself. If you let it go, it will disappear naturally.
Next time you have an opportunity to be interviewed by the media, drop in an aside like "... when I heard the news, I was home in the apartment where I've been living for 10 months."
Another option is to sue the sheriff, but I don't think you'd win because he has his first amendment rights to free speech.
What he is NOT allowed to do is to accuse you of an illegal act when no official charges have been lodged. Then he would be guilty of slander.
2006-10-01 23:23:11 · answer #2 · answered by an23t23s 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
First take proof of your housing to the sheriff and give him a chance to make amends. If he refuses tell him you gave him a chance and then go to da over the sheriff and demand a full retraction or you will sue for defamation. That threat should be enough to get you some satisfaction. Just remember, you will have alienated the sheriff.
2006-10-01 23:34:49 · answer #3 · answered by mindbender - seeker of truth 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think you may have a case and need to see a lawyer to sue the county sheriff.
2006-10-02 02:38:59 · answer #4 · answered by Rhonda 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
defamation, etc. charges only seem to stick if there was both
i. a loss of income/opportunity directly attributable to the claims,
ii. provable that the claims were deliberate
2006-10-01 23:21:39 · answer #5 · answered by niwriffej 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋