Defamation deal protects news media

+ AI-generated spam spam spam spam US Edition - Today's top story: Why Fox News's settlement with Dominion Voting Systems is good news for all media outlets [View in browser]( US Edition | 20 April 2023 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( Top headlines - [Targeted pollen forecasts as climate warms]( - [Teens of color are turning to digital activism]( - [How Russia broadened espionage definition]( Lead story Whatever you think of Fox News, its controversial hosts, right-wing politics or questionable media ethics, the network’s blockbuster settlement in the Dominion Voting Systems defamation suit was, in one key respect, a win for American journalism. That’s not because it means Fox will have to correct the record and admit its hosts and guests repeatedly lied to viewers about the outcome of the 2020 presidential election and specific voting systems. Unfortunately, that was not part of the deal. Instead, it’s a journalism win because the protection of reporters – who represent an important pillar of democracy – won’t, ultimately, be threatened by the lawsuit’s outcome or potential appeals. Jane Kirtley, a scholar of media ethics and law, explains how the 1964 Supreme Court decision New York Times v. Sullivan [has shielded journalists from powerful people]( who might file frivolous lawsuits to still their pens and safeguard their own reputations. “I hold no brief for Fox,” writes Kirtley. “But had the Dominion case gone to the jury, the inevitable appeal by whomever lost would give the Supreme Court the chance to reconsider and possibly eliminate the New York Times v. Sullivan standard that protects all news media of all political stripes.” [[Sign up here to our topic-specific weekly emails.](] Lorna Grisby Senior Politics & Society Editor Dominion Voting Systems CEO John Poulos, third from right, leaves court with members of his legal team after reaching a reported $787.5 million settlement with Fox News. Alex Wong/ Getty Images News via Getty Images [Why Fox News’ settlement with Dominion Voting Systems is good news for all media outlets]( Jane E. Kirtley, University of Minnesota Despite Fox News’ questionable ethics, its last-minute settlement with Dominion Voting Systems was a win for all media. Environment + Energy - [Allergy season is getting more intense with climate change – we’re creating better pollen forecasts to help]( Yingxiao Zhang, University of Michigan; Allison L. Steiner, University of Michigan Rising temperatures mean longer, earlier pollen seasons, but a bigger problem is what more carbon dioxide will do to the amount of pollen being released. Economy + Business - [AI-generated spam may soon be flooding your inbox – and it will be personalized to be especially persuasive]( John Licato, University of South Florida Artificial intelligence is escalating the battle between spam senders and spam blockers. Recent advances could mean more convincing pitches to get you to click, buy and give up personal information. Politics + Society - [Russia’s legal interpretation of ‘espionage’ has broadened since the Soviet era – as the case of Evan Gershkovich shows]( William E. Butler, Penn State A scholar of Russia’s legal code explains the case against the Wall Street Journal reporter accused of espionage. - [Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas moves to reverse the legacy of his predecessor, Thurgood Marshall]( Daniel Kiel, University of Memphis Throughout Thomas’ tenure on the court, he has pushed the Supreme Court to replace Marshall’s vision with one more amenable to the powerful than the powerless. - [Defamation was at the heart of Dominion’s lawsuit against Fox News – proving libel in a court would have been no small feat]( Nicole Kraft, The Ohio State University It’s far easier to throw around accusations of damage to one’s reputation than it is to actually prove it in court. A journalism scholar explains the criteria that must be met. - [Sudan created a paramilitary force to destroy government threats – but it became a major threat itself]( Tsega Etefa, Colgate University The Rapid Support Forces were created by former president Omar al Bashir to protect his regime from rebels - but they soon became a threat to both him and the future government. - [White Tennessee lawmakers speak out for insurrection in honoring Confederate history]( Daniel Feller, University of Tennessee An official proclamation issued by two Tennessee lawmakers commemorates Confederate History Month, fails to mention slavery and instead honors what it calls a “heroic struggle for states’ rights.” Health + Medicine - [Hopelessness about the future is a key reason some Black young adults consider suicide, new study finds]( Janelle R. Goodwill, University of Chicago New research points to feelings of failure, hopelessness, loneliness and sadness as some of the potential reasons Black young people are considering or carrying out suicide at unprecedented rates. Education - [As digital activists, teens of color turn to social media to fight for a more just world]( Dominique Skye McDaniel, Kennesaw State University For some teens on social media, TikTok and Twitter aren’t all about selfies or the latest craze in online “challenges.” Some teens are using social media to advocate for social justice. 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