There are numerous libelous passages within the draft news story.
"Karen Hart, 123 Hill Hall, says the professor, George O.T. Jungle, has touched her during tutoring sessions in his office and has invited her to his apartment several times. She said she declined his invitations."
This part of the story contains a libelous content. By being narrowed to the sexual assailant to the exact person, George O.T. Jungle can not avoid the allegations even if they were not true. To change it, I would wait till the police booked him and was fairly tried and convicted guilty.
Karen Hart's personal allegations is not enough to make this story newsworthy. This story needs authority, witnesses, and official claims by the police and the court system.
I will never run this story in the newspaper. The only for it to be run is if it the police and court system got involved. Otherwise, this story can be false.
The worst possible scenario is if I ran this story and Professor Jungle sues my publication for libel.
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As noted, this story could be false and you could be sued for libel for publishing it.
ReplyDeleteYou don't have to wait until a person has been charged and tried. However, you would want to wait until a complaint or charge was filed. Otherwise, it's just hearsay.
9/10