The TalkSport newsreader today said someone had been arrested for the murder of a lady in London, referring to the knife attack last night. The report also suggested the man arrested might have a mental illness. But to report that the person has been arrested for murder, isn't that jumping the gun before a conviction has occurred. Is this slanderous?
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Looking for advice from a Solicitor
- Thread starter meeesh
- Start date
He has been arrested on suspicion of murder. What's wrong with that.The TalkSport newsreader today said someone had been arrested for the murder of a lady in London, referring to the knife attack last night. The report also suggested the man arrested might have a mental illness. But to report that the person has been arrested for murder, isn't that jumping the gun before a conviction has occurred. Is this slanderous?
FanchesterCity
Well-Known Member
It would be libel (not slander) if it was knowingly wrong, but it's fine if it's accurate that he's been arrested in suspicion of murder. They aren't reporting he IS a murder.The TalkSport newsreader today said someone had been arrested for the murder of a lady in London, referring to the knife attack last night. The report also suggested the man arrested might have a mental illness. But to report that the person has been arrested for murder, isn't that jumping the gun before a conviction has occurred. Is this slanderous?
I don't think the newsreader said suspicion of murder, which made me think it was wrong. I may have misheard though. Moot point really, as the suspect has more to concern himself with than TalkSport news items.It would be libel (not slander) if it was knowingly wrong, but it's fine if it's accurate that he's been arrested in suspicion of murder. They aren't reporting he IS a murder.
I thought libel was written defamation, whilst slander was verbal defamation of character.
FanchesterCity
Well-Known Member
I don't think the newsreader said suspicion of murder, which made me think it was wrong. I may have misheard though. Moot point really, as the suspect has more to concern himself with than TalkSport news items.
I thought libel was written defamation, whilst slander was verbal defamation of character.
No - the difference between libel and slander is now a bit more complicated, not least due to modern media. If it's in permanent form (printed or broadcast, or part of public performance) it's libel, if it's spoken in a transient manner (day to day chat), it's slander. People do often still think of the radio as 'spoken' but in the law's eyes, it's a permanent record and thus on a par with a book.
Originally yes, it was much more 'written' vs 'spoken', but once people started recording the voice (tape, or video etc) it was effectively the same as printing something - i.e. many people could hear it over and over again. So nowadays, libel includes broadcasts and much more widespread than slander.
On the actual words - they probably said something like 'arrested for murder' which I think anybody would interpret as 'on suspicion of murder'. They'd only really be in trouble if they said he was guilty of it, and even then I doubt much would come of it if it was a one off mistake.
Excellent. Thanks for your response Fanchester. I've learned something today!No - the difference between libel and slander is now a bit more complicated, not least due to modern media. If it's in permanent form (printed or broadcast, or part of public performance) it's libel, if it's spoken in a transient manner (day to day chat), it's slander. People do often still think of the radio as 'spoken' but in the law's eyes, it's a permanent record and thus on a par with a book.
Originally yes, it was much more 'written' vs 'spoken', but once people started recording the voice (tape, or video etc) it was effectively the same as printing something - i.e. many people could hear it over and over again. So nowadays, libel includes broadcasts and much more widespread than slander.
On the actual words - they probably said something like 'arrested for murder' which I think anybody would interpret as 'on suspicion of murder'. They'd only really be in trouble if they said he was guilty of it, and even then I doubt much would come of it if it was a one off mistake.