Legal Question about a website

[california owne]

What is the name of your state? California

In the community I live in, there is an industrial company emitting toxic air. This company is within 2 blocks of a school and many people from the community have complained to the Air Quality Management District (AQMD). The AQMD has so many pollution trading credit systems that a lot of companies are getting away with polluting the air. There was a hearing about this matter two days ago (there have been a total of 5 hearings about this company this year alone). The weeks prior to the hearing, the odor had come and gone, but the day after the hearing, it got MUCH worse.

So here is my legal question. I want to start a web site, NOT trashing the company but to make pulic the information I have found out. That being the AQMD having been sued twice in the past for allowing companies to emit toxic air. What can I do legally? Is it legal to post public information (such as links to settlements) and is it legal for me to give an opinion (with a disclaimer of course). I assume it is legal for me to use the company's name since this is a public matter and their name has been mentioned in news papers.

There are public tapes from the hearing and in November, there was a two day hearing and on the second day a board member said he was ANGRY the procescuter (hired by the AQMD) approached the board and asked them to 'go easy' on the industrial company. I don't know if it's legal to upload the audio, but if I have that information, am I allowed to post it (even as a transcript).

I don't want to get sued, but I think a website is effective.

 

[The Occultist]

As long as anything you say is the absolute truth (and you can prove it), and that you ensure your opinions are only presented as opinions and not facts, then they cannot succeed in a libel suit against you.

 

[cbg]

But note the very careful wording above: It does not say that you can't be sued; only that they would not win a suit.

 

[The Occultist]

But note the very careful wording above: It does not say that you can't be sued; only that they would not win a suit.

Haha you noticed that too, eh?

Yes OP, that is something you need to be aware of: you can be sued for anything at any time, and even if you win the lawsuit can cost quite a bit. So make sure it's worth it.

 

[california owne]

Thank you

Yes, I don't want to get sued but I think it's worth the risk. I was trying to find a site like the one I wanted to create and it would be something like this:

http://www.stopthepowerplant.org/html/inside_story/health_concerns.php

It would be more about the chemicals used (based on the Air Resource Board) and the harmful effects (using information from the American Cancer Society.)

I am not here to put the company out of business, and there will be a disclaimer. I will focus the wording on trying to get the company moved rather than shut down.