Those Who Believe Michael Moore ...
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It's because of a Supreme Court case called New York Times v. Sullivan. A cause of action for defamation is held to a much higher standard (and therefore, is much more difficult to sustain) when the communication at issue involves a public figure, or a matter of public interest.Ferno wrote:Here's another question. if Moore did indeed lie.. how come he hasn't been sued for slander or libel?
So for instance, if regular old citizen Bob says that regular old citizen Sue sleeps around, she can probably sue successfully for slander (spoken defamation) or libel (written defamation) for impugning her, err, chastity.
A different set of proof elements usually applies to communications directed toward or involving public figures (like politicians), or private citizens who either voluntarily (or often involuntarily) find themselves the subject of a matter of public interest (like Mary Kay Letourneau, for instance).
BD
So we now can toss the 'moore lies' theroy out the window.woodchip wrote:Ferno, as I read it Moore dodn't out and out lie. He created a perception of something suspicious by artful arranging of facts and sly innuendo. It was then left to the viewer to come to a conclusion. No direct lying or slander involved.
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Sounds like if the list were titled anything negative at all you'd have your panties in a twist. 59 Deceits, 59 Deceptions, 59 Misconstructions, 59 Ways Moore Manipulates The Viewers' Perception Of The Scene By Only Mentioning Certain Facts, whatever you want to call it. And yes, I did watch the movie.
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