isn't it irresponsible for CNN to do a story they know is false?

Question

since when does freedom of speech cover slander, and lies, they knew the story the did about racism wasn't true and the did the story anways that makes is a lie and slander.

Should they be fined?

CNN did a peice about Bill O'reilly, like him or not it was false. He was telling a story about his grandma fearing black people an it was against racism, in fact the guy on his radio show, an African American was outraged how CNN outright lied. The people from Bill O'rerilly called and told them the real truth and that he wasn't making racists comments, in fact he was talkng about how bad racism is, and CNN still did the story anyways. It was some militant website that actually was the one who gave CNN the story but they still did it even after they found out it wasn't true.

If you're outraged, put aside your feelings for O'reilly, and write cnn, go to cnn.com and go to the contact us link at the bottom., you can also for the www.fcc.gov

I was in journalism courses and this violates ethics and it's not acting in the public interest as journalists are expected to do.

Answer 1

Sure its irresponsible, but its also S.O.P.

Answer 2

You are going to have come up with a lot more information about the story in question before anyone can judge that. Such as: what story?

I know of no news organization that would put out a deliberately false story, if only because they are afraid of lawsuits. Mistakes do happen, but deliberate mistakes are more rare than you apparently think.

Answer 3

Don't think so.
When they look at it.
It was real.
Somehow the creeps crawl out.
Caught everyone by surprise.
With shocking effect too.

Answer 4

Kind of like how Fox News reported for days that Mark Foley was a Democrat congressman after he got busted. HMMMMM.....