Can I distort the facts and slander as long as I am just an entertainer on the radio?

Question

Is it okay if you have the same political beliefs?Please don't say someone else does it worse. That gets old.
If you don't believe the facts aren't distorted and lies aren't told, do the research at unbiased sources.
Are lies okay as long as it is what we want to hear?
Of course both sides do it, but no one does it as well as talk radio.

I said please don't say someone does it worse. That is not a good defense.

Answer 1

This has been determined in court many times over.
If there is no ill intent involved, it is not slander.
If you are a public figure, it is not considered slander as long as it is within the scope of your public standing.
So basically, if you are a politician, you are fair game!
The only limitatation is accusing someone of a criminal act without proof!

Answer 2

If you were trying to distort facts and get away from a Slander Law Suit then that would sole depend on your states Laws and how they are defined.
I would have to say Be very careful when it comes to distorting facts not only could you end up in a Law Suit if it was against someone with power but you could also end up losing your job and not being able to get another in that Field.

Look at Opy and Anthony from WAAF 107.3 in Boston. Those 2 guys thought they were invincible and decided to take their actions to another level and got Fired ASAP. They are no body now, actually never were anyone but that's besides the fact.
My word of advice would be don't distort the facts, simple find cold hard truth whether your looking to help or hurt the person your talking about and then you should be all set and safe.

* NOTE * This is a lesson for all, You do not get True facts from the news. Most news companys are limited to what they can say because of our government. If you want true facts then you need to buy Magazines, Not any Magazine but serious Magazines and read.
Whether or not you believe this is true or not It truly is.

* to BGOOD* Actually you are wrong and I dont mean to put it out their like that, Freedom of speech isnt like it use to be back in the 60's and etc. Now you can Say anything you like AS LONG as it dont OFFEND someone. If you dont think what I have just said is correct then You should contact a laywer and you will find Im right. Times have changed so much and its truely Sad

Answer 3

I don't think there is an unbiased source. Everyone, whether they're in the media or not, has an opinion. If you are reporting political news it would be nearly impossible to not put you're own political swing on it. I've seen people make subtle gestures to prove or disprove a point, it can be a slightly raised eyebrow, a shrug of the shoulders or a shake or nod of the head. It happens all the time. We all know that some news channels lean more right wing or left wing. So how do you prove that news either written or reported are completely unbiased? The only thing you can do is research a subject yourself. Watch several different news channels, read several different news sources and speak with friends, family and co-workers about the subject and make your own educated decision.

Answer 4

There are very good reasons as to why Howard Stern has gone off public airwaves. His was the number one show in the history of radio - it was not market forces or legal action for that matter that drove him off the air (Stern was never charged officially with anything, never had his day in court - which he would have welcomed).

But I think that forces other than the market are starting to determine what ends up on your radio. Here in Mass a business group alligned with Mitt Romney (republican former gov who will now run for pres) has purchased the company that owns the local Air America affiliates. They removed the Air America format from the air with no notice to their customers, no on air announcements - and if you check, you will see that they new 'Rumba' format's web site isn't even online yet. This is an insult to the free market system, and an obvious violation of the diversity that is required by PUBLICALLY OWNED AIRWAVES.

It should also be noted that the same company that was instrumental in removing Stern (I.E. what the public wanted to listen to) from the airwaves and is also now taking a hand in the removal of Air America AND is instrumental in keeping such radical radio personalities as Rush Limbaugh on the air - this company is Clearchannel, which is the parent company of Premier Radio Networks.

It will be ultimately left to CONSUMERS to send the powerful message to corporations that they have no business in OUR govt any longer and that we're not interested in their propaganda radio, and want to decide for ourselves what is and remains on the air.

Remember, it wasn't the govt that forced an end to segregation in the deep south - in the end it was a financial boycott of segrated businesses.

At this point, since no political party any longer views middle class American taxpayers as a group worth representing, we will all have to resort to the final arguments of kings to restore our democracy - vote with our wallets.

If you see or hear something on the air you don't approve of, make a note of the sponsors and DON'T BUY THEIR PRODUCTS.

That, and only that, is all they will understand...

Answer 5

In the US we have the right to say that up is down under the 1st Amendment to the Constitution. You never needed a socialist propaganda degree, I mean a journalism degree to be a reporter. If you don't like it, then move to the UK where you can be put in jail or fined for saying anything counter to the official government line.

Answer 6

Please if you want to point out a lie and please use facts . You show a photo of Rush but he is right most of the time.

Talk radio is not news it is at best editorializing the news it is some persons opinion. You may not like this person`s opinion but that does not make it a lie. Talk radio is in large part a call in show so it is the people out that are talking as well. I know the Dems Hate this and want the people of the US not to have any open from of free speech.

Answer 7

Yes. It's called free speech. As long as you stay within FCC regulations (ie don't say any of George Carlin's 7 dirty words), you can spew whatever lies you like.

Answer 8

There is no such thing as an "unbiased"source.Take all news sources including(especially if you ask me) the supposedly unbiased network news cast for what they're worth.At least Limbaugh tells you where he is coming from unlike the C(a bunch of)BS evening news.

Answer 9

And thats why Air America failed?Seems that conservative radio are number one in the country,maybe because they have facts to back up what they say..,Look at Randi Rhodes,awww shes got a major lawsuit against her and the station for her slander..,now who is entertainment???

Answer 10

Since I don't have to defend rush like a lunatic who can't think for himself, I'll say yes, he can lie as much as he wants, because, only the idiots believe him.