Q: Can the news media be sued for causing fear, anxiety and other mental health issues due to the way the news is written?
In speaking with others, I find that watching the news causes me anxiety and extreme fear by the way it is delivered to us consumers. There is no way to know what is being reported is true. It can be argued that the reporting of the events surrounding police shootings are fueled by the media and all of the conflicting information. Why can't the network media outlets be taken to task for their role in the deterioration of mental health all over America? There are no standards and no repercussions for their reporting and the effect of the information delivered. I have always been very interested in politics and world events but attempting to keep up has caused me to become extremely anxious and worried. I am prone to this as I have been diagnosed with depression. An estimated 17.3 million adults in the United States had at least one major depressive episode. This number represented 7.1% of all U.S. adults. With the coronavirus and the riots, that number has to be increasing.
A:
NO. The news media are subject to certain immunities for the fair reporting of events that occur. You cannot sue them for that. You would have to show that they targeted you, personally, with the news coverage.
I share your pain about the reporting of current events, but you still cannot sue them.
Justia disclaimers below, incorporated herein.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
