Peter E. Kane takes a critical look at the development of the present law through a discussion of seventeen landmark libel cases. One of the many points Kane clarifies is the important distinction between an error and a lie when judging whether someone is guilty of libel. For example, in the series of events that led to Goldwater vs. Ginzburg, Ralph Ginzburg, publisher of fact magazine, compiled and printed in fact a montage of quotes he had collected from psychiatrists about Barry Goldwater. It took five years of legal sparring for the courts to conclude that Ginzburg had deliberately...
Peter E. Kane takes a critical look at the development of the present law through a discussion of seventeen landmark libel cases. One of the many poin...
Elmer Gertz recalls his long battle in what legal scholars regard as the second most important libel case in legal history: "Gertz v. Robert Welch, Inc."
Gertz s ordeal began in Chicago during the violent peace demonstrations of 1968. A youth, Ronald Nelson, was killed by a Chicago policeman, Richard Nuccio. Gertz represented the Nelson family in civil suits against Nuccio and the Chicago police department. After Nuccio was convicted of murder, the John Birch Society published an article in its journal, "American Opinion, "claiming that Nuccio was framed by Communists. Gertz was targeted...
Elmer Gertz recalls his long battle in what legal scholars regard as the second most important libel case in legal history: "Gertz v. Robert Welch,...