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Topic: Use of Celebrities In Satire
| Author | Message |
| tattle2000 | Posted – 2/11/2008 10:54:42 PM | show profile | email poster Hello! Would someone explain how some celebrities seek legal redress against a media outlet or publisher when they believe that their names are being defamed or wrong information is printed....but do not do so when their names are satirized or incorporated in jokes and satire? What's the difference, please? And how can a satirical writer protect themselves? Thanks! |
| dribbledrive1 | Posted – 2/12/2008 2:36:00 AM | show profile Satire is a protected form of speech. The celebrities won't win, but they might sue just for the chilling effect of stopping others from making jokes about them in the future |
| nellie bly | Posted – 2/12/2008 2:50:46 AM | show profile Satire and parody are forms of free speech, so if you're writing satire and a reasonable person would understand it's not "true," you're protected by the First Amendment. btw have you noticed how satirical articles are nowadays labeled "satire" in Google news searches? I think they started tagging them after a news service in China mistook a satirical news story for a real news story. Humor can get lost in translation especially on the Internet. When celebs sue for libel, I believe they must prove the writer/publication printed false and defamatory info knowingly or with malice. |
| tattle2000 | Posted – 2/13/2008 1:55:21 AM | show profile | email poster Yep That's what I thought too...until my publisher (very well known) cancelled the contract for fear of lawsuits..and yes, in addition to the fact its labelled Parody and fantastical in the book they have shied away. Now I have to find a publisher that is not gun tried. Go figure! |
| tattle2000 | Posted – 2/13/2008 1:56:00 AM | show profile | email poster gun 'shy' |
| nellie bly | Posted – 2/13/2008 2:31:16 PM | show profile The time, trouble and cost of defending onself against a possible lawsuit (even if it is eventually dismissed) intimidates many publishers. Unfortunately media perils insurance has become very, very costly and coverage is not comprehensive. |
| dribbledrive1 | Posted – 2/13/2008 3:03:01 PM | show profile I wrote a humor column once that included a throwaway one-liner about a certain celebrity. My editor asked me to change the joke to another celebrity, because the one I used was known to sue a lot. --Yep That's what I thought too...until my publisher (very well known) cancelled the contract for fear of lawsuits..and yes, in addition to the fact its labelled Parody and fantastical in the book they have shied away. Now I have to find a publisher that is not gun tried. Go figure!-- |
| tattle2000 | Posted – 2/14/2008 2:46:37 AM | show profile | email poster Anyone aware of any publishers who are not so gun shy? Also, which self online publishers do you recommend,please? |
