I mean in shows like south park and family guy they always make fun of international contriversies. Like family guy always makes fun of president bush and vp cheney. I love both of those shows i have always wondered that.
2007-07-24 11:21:04 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Adolescent
Its called Freedom of Speech
2007-07-24 11:23:22 · answer #1 · answered by GrnEyedBandita 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Simple - who would sue, and for what?
If a politician would sue for their policies being made fun of - it would be a field day for the other side's lawyers. Lawsuits are civil cases - you can't avoid the witness stand. The lawyers would get Bush on the stand and run rings around him showing how stupid and out of touch he is. (Why do you think they heavily stage manage his press conferences?) I'm sure Jon Stewart's staff would help as evidence consultants.
The final defence is "it was parody". Nobody is really expected to believe Bush is, let's say, the anti-Christ. As long as his reputation isn't damaged (how would a politician prove it was???) he'll lose.
In most commentary about politicians or other public figures, the rule is that you don't gain anything by suing unless the claim is patently vicious and false; in the USA, for public figures, you have to prove that the publisher KNEW it was false and deliberately published it anyway, to deliberately inflict hurt. That's a pretty tough thing to prove.
As for racial slurs - well, first you can get away with a lot when you're trying to be funny. (See Chris Rock). To be sued, you actually have to hurt someone, and they ahve to prove damages. Most racial slurs that result in real legal action are actually discrimination cases - "they didn't hire me / serve me because i'm ----".
In the Don Imus case, there was no lawsuit in the wind at all. It was basically the sponsors and the network worried about people boycotting them.
2007-07-24 18:31:29 · answer #2 · answered by Anon 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Freedom of speech plus have you ever noticed the diclaimer that South Park post before each episode.
Thats there for a reason.
2007-07-24 18:24:56 · answer #3 · answered by gymrat0187 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As for the president and VP it's freedom of speech. But they have been sued when they've used celebrities like Tom Cruise and his religious beliefs...well maybe not sued but actions were threatened. Gotta love the USA.
2007-07-24 18:23:59 · answer #4 · answered by PK211 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The courts have established that people who are deliberately in the news, like government officials and celebrities, are fair game for lampooning. And for the others, the maxim on Madison Avenue is that there's no such thing as "bad" publicity.
2007-07-24 19:50:10 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's Freedom Of Speech! These shows step on so many toes, and not to mention, they are hilarious about it. They may make you mad by what they say, but as long as they aren't hurting anybody, then they can do this for as long as they want.
2007-07-24 20:48:30 · answer #6 · answered by Kendra 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Freedom of speech. Southpark is one of my favorite shows and before every episode it says something like "All character and events in this show although based on true people are completely fictional"
2007-07-24 18:27:25 · answer #7 · answered by Southparker77 (for Da Ben Dan) 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's the beauty of living in America....Freedom of Speech.
2007-07-24 18:54:57 · answer #8 · answered by kittykates78 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
good question.
American Dad does it too.
I don't like South Park but I LOVE Family Guy!
2007-07-24 20:27:52 · answer #9 · answered by Chef Smalls 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First Amendment. The 'get out of jail free' clause.
2007-07-24 20:55:38 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋