Word: libelous
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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Denouncing the Inquirer piece as "treasonable" and "garbage journalism," he sued the newspaper for $6 million in libel damages. Five days later, 250 members of the pro-Rizzo Building and Construction Trades Council blockaded the Inquirer building for ten hours, stopped distribution of two editions and beat up two of the paper's photographers. City police stood on the sidelines until federal marshals arrived with an injunction against the demonstrators. The Inquirer sued the union, mayor and police department for damages. Disclaiming responsibility, Rizzo said that he had not ordered the police to intervene because the construction workers were...
...democracy, the press must watch over the judicial system too," says Henry F. Schulte, dean of Syracuse University's journalism school. "Gag laws could cut into that function." After the Rockford Star in Illinois ran stories on patronage abuse in local courts, an alleged political appointee sued for libel. Citing the need to preserve a fair trial, a judge then ordered the Star not to write editorials about the issues, namely the worth of local courts. The Star violated the judge's gag and later got it thrown out on appeal. The paper nonetheless faces possible punishment because...
...explore all other possibilities [such as a change of venue]. At this hearing, not only the defense and prosecution but also the press could be heard on a proposed gag rule." Some answer with guidelines obviously is needed. Currently the third most litigated free-speech issue-after obscenity and libel-is the question of gag rules...
...libel suit was a minor slap in the face compared to the incident that followed. Five days after the article appeared, demonstrators from a building and trade union that has vigorously supported Rizzo in Philadelphia politics began assembling across the street of the Inquirer building at midday. By 3 p.m. enough men had gathered to block sidewalks and close off the Inquirer's entrances preventing delivery trucks from entering or leaving. The picketers carried signs saying "When is the Inquirer going to start telling the truth," and "The Inquirer is a biased paper." They closed their ranks tight enough...
Probably far more important than anything coming out of the recall campaign will be effect the libel suit and lawless mob will have on future coverage of Philadelphia and other cities' politics. If adversary relations stay tough, will there be future demonstrations and shutdowns by politicians' goon squads? Will papers feel free to satirize public officials if Rizzo wins his $6-million suit...