Courts refuse media liability because it would chill all expression to child-safe levels

Evidence

The rape lawsuit was dismissed at all appellate levels, not only on free-speech protection but also on the grounds that subjecting networks to negligence liability would have a self-censoring, chilling effect that would stifle expression of varied views. The appellate judges further argued that TV stations would be legally liable if children imitated events portrayed in newscasts and documentaries. Hence, negligence liability “could reduce the U.S. population to viewing only what is fit for children” (Zane, 1981). — Albert Bandura, Moral Disengagement, 797 (#expands, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Courts reject negligence liability for outcomes of imitative media violence. — Albert Bandura, Moral Disengagement: How People Do Harm…, 797; Courts dismissed media-influence lawsuits for fear of chilling free expression — Albert Bandura, Moral Disengagement: How People Do Harm…, 797

Broader Connections

• Courts dismissed media-influence lawsuits for fear of chilling free expression #expands (0.95) — Albert Bandura, Moral Disengagement, 797