Virginia Tech Massacre Newspaper Print

[darkraider]

I am a Virginia Tech student and amidst the shock and tragedy of last week's shooting, I was notified by a distraught friend in Australia that I was listed as one of the confirmed deceased victims of the shooting in Australian newspapers. As I googled my name, I discovered that a few UK newspapers had listed my name and pictured as one of the confirmed deceased as well. I was disgusted and outraged by this as I have family overseas and seeing me in the papers has caused them trauma, as well as myself and my immediate family. I think that it is outrageous, disgusting and irresponsible for a news publication to print such a story without any confirmation. We've contacted them and asked them to AT LEAST remove the stories from their online sites, but they have refused to do so. From there the stories have spread more and more. My family gets tons of calls from distraught family members from seeing me/ hearing about my "murder". I am thinking about pursuing a lawsuit against the news publications but I'd just like some advice about how to go about this (what type of lawyer, is it worth pursuing, etc.) I don't have that much money so I would need this to be on a contigency basis. Please let me know if you have any advice.

 

[racer72]

Google "freedom of the press" and the countries you want to sue in. And realize the U.S. court system has absolutely no jurisdiction over the foreign press.

 

[JETX]

I am thinking about pursuing a lawsuit against the news publications but I'd just like some advice about how to go about this (what type of lawyer, is it worth pursuing, etc.)

Are these 'news sources' in the USA???
Also, even if they are in the US, they are not liable for ERRORS (but they should remove or retract if an error).

I don't have that much money so I would need this to be on a contigency basis.

You will never, EVER find an attorney willing to take this type of case on contingency. Simply, too risky and too expensive.