Balancing The Duty To Report News And The Risk Of Defamation Claims: A Study Of Media Outlets' Approaches To Reporting On Sensitive And Controversial Issues
Ankita Singh, Alliance School of Law, Alliance University, Bengaluru
ABSTRACT:
This paper investigates how media outlets balance their duty to report news with the potential risks of defamation claims when covering sensitive and controversial issues. Defamation claims pose a significant threat to media outlets, as they can result in costly legal battles and damage to the reputation of the organization. However, the media also has a responsibility to report on important issues that may be controversial or uncomfortable to cover. This research aims to analyse the approaches that media outlets use to mitigate the risk of defamation while still reporting responsibly. The study will employ a mixed-methods approach, using both qualitative and quantitative data to analyse media coverage of sensitive and controversial issues. The findings of this study will provide insights into the strategies used by media outlets to balance their legal responsibilities with their obligations to report news accurately and responsibly. Ultimately, this research aims to contribute to a better understanding of the challenges that media organizations face in fulfilling their societal role as watchdogs of public interest.
Keywords: Defamation, Media, Sensitive, Controversial
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