Creative Editing
Chapter 6
Exercise 2
2. For each of the following statements, tell which elements of libel are present, if any, and what, if any, defense is available if the item sparks a libel lawsuit.
a. The Community Theater production of "Dear Old State University" is three hours of sheer boredom. Instead of buying a ticket to this masquerade of a play, spend your $10 on something worthwhile.
b. Jane Playwright denies that she is an addict, but she must have written "Dear Old State University" during one of her frequent bouts with booze and drugs.
c. A woman, who asked that her name not be revealed, said in an interview that John Politician, local mayor, raped her last year after the Christmas party for city employees. She said that she did not report the rape to police because she was afraid that she would lose her job at City Hall.
d. Sarah Bitter, who testified yesterday, told reporters that the prosecutor did not ask the right questions when she was on the witness stand. "If he had done his job right, I could have told the jury enough to convict that murdering John Smith," Bitter said.
e. In passing sentence on John E. Smith yesterday, Judge James Hangman said, "You are a sorry excuse for a man. The lowest animal known to humankind deserves more mercy than you gave your victim. I wish this state gave me the authority to pronounce the death penalty on such dregs of humanity as you."
f. Jane X. Doe, 2468 Kingston Ave., was drunk when she raced her car through the red light at Green and Main streets and struck the pedestrian, police on the scene said.
g. Jane X. Doe, 2468 Kingston Ave., was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol after an accident at Green and Main streets last night.
h. "You are a murderer!" Sarah Bitter screamed from the witness stand as she pointed at the defendant, John E. Smith.
i. "All sorority girls are whores," the evangelist told a campus crowd yesterday. "State universities shouldn't condone the sinful activities of sororities and fraternities."
j. At a meeting of the city council yesterday, a social worker told council members that Mayor John Politician was "charging big money to poor people who rent his rat-infested hovels."
k. The Coffee Cup Cafe was ordered closed yesterday by the county health department. Records indicate that the cafe has scored below the "acceptable" rating at each of the last three inspections by health officials.
l. Unless you're in the mood for a middle-of-the-night visit to the hospital emergency room, don't eat at the Country Style Delights restaurant. The desserts are pretty good, but the rest of the food isn't fit for a dog to eat.
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