My local newspaper has run a number of editorials that are basically personal hate "attack" editorials. They are harming my business in this small town. Many of these editorials suggest I move out of town. Is the newspaper responsible for making sure libel or slander are not a part of accepted and published editorials?

My City newspaper allowed "Letters to the Editor" to be published even though they were not signed when submitted. Then they got sued. Now that is not their policy and there's a blurb about the paper not being responsible - PLUS they verify the name/address of the writer and publish the name and Town.

Your paper must have a published policy - ?

The person who wrote them can be held liable if they are lying. So sue the person for loss of business from what they are writing.

My problem started when I made a comment to the Denver Post about the ongoing bicycle races and how many people think they are too frequent. A handful of special interest local residents here chose to launch a personal attack against me in the local newspaper via editorials.
Comments like, "...the majority of people here are sick of your badmouthing and we would all be better off if you moved..."
I believe in the editorial format, but I think editorials should remain directed towards the issues, not the person who expressed them. And I THOUGHT this was a responsibility of the publishing newspaper to "screen" hateful editorials out, and confine editorials to the issues.
I guess I just need a lawyer?

You have to be financially damaged - for example, stress which requires visits to a Physician OR loss of business.

Do you know what the editorial policy is? My idea of hateful may not be yours - and that is going to be their argument. I can read this about you and think, "Gee, that's stupid." I can read it about me and have my hair burst into flames.

Know what I mean?

Who is going to judge? I'd LOVE to see their policy. And are these anonymous letters? And don't people in Denver have anything to do other than read your letter and attack you?

(I'm coming out to Denver for a week in mid-May. Love that part of the Country!)

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Originally Posted by leadville

And I THOUGHT this was a responsibility of the publishing newspaper to "screen" hateful editorials out, and confine editorials to the issues.

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Hello l:

If it were me, I'd write the newspaper a letter THREATENING to sue if they don't stop.. Little bitty publishers are afraid of getting sued. I'd send a copy of the letter to the, letters to the editor section of the Denver Post.

excon

I guess I just need a lawyer. This kind of unnecessary slander is harmful. It's one thing to address the issues and disagree, but a far different issue to allow local residents to make inaccurate statements that are designed strictly to harm me, as opposed to representing their view of the issue. I'm not sure what "you ought to leave town..." has to do with responsible journalism and I contend the editor has an obligation to reject that kind of verbiage from making the paper.

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Originally Posted by leadville

I guess I just need a lawyer. This kind of unneccesary slander is harmful. It's one thing to address the issues and disagree, but a far different issue to allow local residents to make inaccurate statements that are designed strictly to harm me, as opposed to representing their view of the issue. I'm not sure what "you ought to leave town..." has to do with responsible journalism and I contend the editor has an obligation to reject that kind of verbiage from making the paper.

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Please keep us informed - I'd love to see how this plays out. (And I agree with you. Any of these "slanderous" letters, comments, though, can depend on who does the editing. What I consider slander, you do not. Again, sounds like people in town have a lot of time on their hands.)