Avoiding libel

[warriorkc]

What is the name of your state? KS

We're about to embark on a public website, basically, detailing first hand accounts of actions of a certain person(s). They, we believe, are public figures (they appear on TV, broadcast daily, appear to object to government laws or support government laws, been on national TV, etc) and we believe everything we publish, either from first hand account or from another person giving us their first hand account, is truthful (or reasonably so). We're being careful to avoid accusations of any criminal behavior without public record (like, for example, three instances of tax evasion we will report as they are in the public record) to support such claims.

What realistic avenues could they attack us on?

If they bring suit against us in court for libel, defamation or invasion of privacy, are we entitled to force the release of their organization's records, personal tax records and organization budget to prove our claims as valid?

If the leader is a public figure, as well as his wife, son, daughter and son-in-law (as per the above public broadcasts that participate in) - does that also extend to other, equal level people in the organization, as they being 'public' as well? (and are we accurate on determining that they are, indeed, public to begin with?)

Thank you for your assistance.

 

[seniorjudge]

What is the name of your state? KS

We're about to embark on a public website, basically, detailing first hand accounts of actions of a certain person(s). They, we believe, are public figures (they appear on TV, broadcast daily, appear to object to government laws or support government laws, been on national TV, etc) and we believe everything we publish, either from first hand account or from another person giving us their first hand account, is truthful (or reasonably so). We're being careful to avoid accusations of any criminal behavior without public record (like, for example, three instances of tax evasion we will report as they are in the public record) to support such claims.

What realistic avenues could they attack us on?

If they bring suit against us in court for libel, defamation or invasion of privacy, are we entitled to force the release of their organization's records, personal tax records and organization budget to prove our claims as valid?

If the leader is a public figure, as well as his wife, son, daughter and son-in-law (as per the above public broadcasts that participate in) - does that also extend to other, equal level people in the organization, as they being 'public' as well? (and are we accurate on determining that they are, indeed, public to begin with?)

Thank you for your assistance.

From your intentionally vague description of the facts, I would say that anyone can sue anyone anywhere for anything at any time.

 

[warriorkc]

From your intentionally vague description of the facts, I would say that anyone can sue anyone anywhere for anything at any time.

To try to clear up the vagueness:

1. the person is a pastor of a large church
2. their family is all employed at the church and is active in the freely accessable broadcasts.
3. Fiscal misconduct is suspected, evidence is being sought, some public records are being uncovered, beyond that, the majority of the alleged conduct is unethical (questioning the pastor in any way gets one escorted out of the church)
4. We intend to publish, via a website, the alleged stories of the people hurt by the leadership, asked to leave, abused, etc.
5. We intend to validate the stories by evidence (other people present concure, witnessed by a trusted person, audio recordings, records, court papers)
6. We're also going to contrast the church with the biblical scripture on church leaders.
7. We're going to compare the pastor's leadership and management with the some educator's cult warning list.
8. We're going to compare the pastor's actions to the published list of traits of an abusive pastor.

That help?