Libel????

[klb444]

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state?Pennsylvania
This is a quote from the local newspaper made by the president of the school board regarding the superintendent: "Teachers felt their input about educational goals and visions were put brushed aside in favor of politics when John Doe put his buddy Jack Smith in the position of superintendent without advertising the positions to gather a pool of qualified candidates. This move alone established the mindset that politics, not a commitment to the best educational atmosphere rules the day in our school district." (names have been changed, of course)

These are the facts: The superintendent served for many years as assistant superintendent before his appointment. The school board felt he was highly capable and it was a natural progression to appoint him as superintendent. The vote was unanimous. with all 9 members of the board voting to appoint Jack Smith, including the board president who made this statement.
Let me point out that it is one week to the May 17th preimary election and the board president and John Doe are both running for seats on the school baord. Also, teachers in the district have had nothing but praise for the initiaitives of the superintendent and our district is rated in the top fifty in the State! Is this libel??? Your input is greatly appreciated.

 

[cbg]

It's not libel if the teachers really did feel as if their input was brushed aside.

 

[klb444]

In what way can anyone prove if approximately 180 teachers felt this way?

 

[BelizeBreeze]

In what way can anyone prove if approximately 180 teachers felt this way?

Even if you could prove that only 179 teachers felt that way, a newspaper enjoys a little more protection against libel than does a private citizen.

You have to also prove intent before having grounds to file suit.

Forget it and move on.

 

[klb444]

Libel???

PA

I can move on from holding the newspaper libel, but not from holding the school board president libel--I can prove intent on his part. Thanks for your help.

 

[meganproser]

"Teachers felt their input about educational goals and visions were put brushed aside in favor of politics when John Doe put his buddy Jack Smith

The prez said "teachers" felt a certain way. He did not say how many teachers. As long as he can find one or two who will say they felt the appointment was political, then his statement was absolutely true wasn't it?

The statement does not even come close to being libel. You really have no legal recourse for his "spin" doctoring. All you can do is spin it right back. Perhaps a few "letters to the editor" refuting the prez' statement would be the best course of action.

Good luck!

 

[klb444]

Libel???

I suppose you are right about the statement being true even if one one or two teachers agree. But what about the statement that John Doe put his buddy in as superintendent? That's false information isn't it? Superintendents are elected by a majority vote of the nine mwembers of the school board. In this case, the super was elected by a unanimous vote which inluded the vote of the board member who made this statement. What do you think????

 

[meganproser]

But what about the statement that John Doe put his buddy in as superintendent? That's false information isn't it?

No. Anyone who is interested in the school board politics knows that the board has to vote the superintendent in. Therefore, they know that one individual cannot technically “put his buddy in”. Of course we all know the reality is that one individual often does make the decision because he has that kind of influence over all of the others.

The speaker merely voiced his “opinion” that in reality, Doe was the cause of his buddy getting the job. He is entitled to voice his opinion.

In this case, the super was elected by a unanimous vote which inluded the vote of the board member who made this statement. What do you think????

I think if you are going to be in politics, you had better learn how to play the game.

 

[klb444]

Libel???

I am neither a politician nor a superintendent--I'm just a private citizen who is interested in this situation.
Thanks