For the second time in a week, the St. Augustine Record has a false headline. This one hollers "fired" -- "St. Johns teacher fired for improper communications; police investigate sexual misconduct too" when the teacher in question has a hearing before the School Board on February 9th. On Tuesday, January 26th, The Record's headline writer wrote in its print and online editions "$200M" and "200 Million" when the correct figure was $200K/$200,000. No correction. No explanation. No apology. Does being The St. Augustine Record "mean never having to say you're sorry?" Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Homes, Jr. said free speech does not include "yelling fire in a crowded theater."
Under libel law, the teacher is not a "public figure" and hollering "fired" in an erroneous headline is not protected activity, either.
1 comment:
Ed, as i told you, Dottie Andrews the volunteer proofreader for Delinda Fogel, the publisher of the Record is on vacation.. She'll be back at the end of next week, so there may be new errors you will find. Relax.
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