Overview
This first comprehensive study of the changes which have occurred in the law of libel over the years fills a long-felt need by journalists and others in the field of communication for a book dealing specifically with press law and public officials. However, though written primarily for the working press and students of journalism, the work will be of interest to general readers concerned with public affairs, and, through its compilation of widely-scattered information, will be useful as a reference tool for lawyers. The story of libel law, from colonial times to the present, is basically the story of courtroom battles between public officials claiming the right to a good name and private citizens claiming the right to know about and discuss public officials. As Mr. Hart points out, history shows that in the United States the law for libeling public officials has been consistently narrowed as the public's right to know about their government and discuss their leaders has broadened. Mr. Lawhorne thus traces the evolution of libel law in this country, explains the reasons for the recent liberalization of the law, and suggests some of the present dangers, in his opinion, stemming from the abuse of the law. Among the precedent-setting cases cited by Mr. Lawhorne are Garrison v. Louisiana, Dodd v. Pearson, and Goldwater v. Ginzberg. Among hisconclusions is a warning to those who disseminate information to confine their comments to the truth by virtue of strict ethical standards, lest the reaction to present liberal libel law lead to highly restrictive law of the future.
Full Product Details
Author: Clifton O. Lawhorne
Publisher: Southern Illinois University Press
Imprint: Southern Illinois University Press
Dimensions:
Width: 15.00cm
, Height: 3.50cm
, Length: 23.00cm
Weight: 1.870kg
ISBN: 9780809304547
ISBN 10: 0809304546
Pages: 356
Publication Date: 31 March 1971
Audience:
General/trade
,
General
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: Temporarily unavailable
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Reviews
While this book is not physically large, it is immense in scope and detail, and the research necessary to create it, staggering... As a philosophical history of American libel law, it is exhaustive. -- St. Louis Globe Democrat <br>
While this book is not physically large, it is immense in scope and detail, and the research necessary to create it, staggering... As a philosophical history of American libel law, it is exhaustive. -- St. Louis Globe Democrat
Author Information
Clifton O. Lawhorne is Chairman of the Department of Journalism, Texas Christian University, and a specialist in law of the press.
