The Stroller's weekly and Douglas Island news., 1921-08-13
SOMETHING ABOUT
 NEWSPAPER LIBEL
Prominent Seattle Publisher Gives Rules for Classifying Pub
 hshei Matter


 ntue post-Iutolugcncer and one of Che recognized authorities on libel m th.s country lays down six rules n a recout issuc Of Tho American prcss by which one may determine whether a newspaper article is ubcl- ous
 Mr. Perry says
 "Text writers generally agrco that tbo following ls Che best definition ol libel;
 "A libel is O malicious dciama- uon expressed either by writing printing or by signs. pictures. coi- eics or Che uke. tending Go blackon The memory of one who is dead or to .mpeach Che honesty Integrity virtue or reputation. or publish tho natural or alleged defects of one who is alive and thereby expose him to public hatred. contempt ridIculc OF obIoouy. or Go casuo him Co be summed or avoided or Go iniuro him m his oIIcc. business or occupation
 "As matter Of ioct libel is hardly capable oi being defined. It can only bo described. For Instance. Che above bcst definition usos Che term malicious defamation. where ms malice need not be am essential element iu civil libel suit at olL WIh One best or intentions one may publish an article about auothors person or business adn ho win be bouudcu n damages it Che article s false. Yet one may publish @ very malicious article without any civil liability whatsoever ii Che article s true.
 "rbus. in civil libel. Che gist Of action is tru,h
 Truth is am absolute defense in any such slIt
 "This is uot so in criminal ubels I'm act In prosecution for crim- uaI ubcI tbe truth might actually arenyate One oGonsc. Good motives and iusudablc ends constitute de- fonsc. even though Che article be false
 "so we must dcluco tho, In % prosecution for criminal libel malice s che rravcmcn Truth or falsiy may be admissible iu evidence for Che purpose of shedding light on Che question Of Che writer's motives.
 In Che earlier period Of Che law of libel am old maxim prevailed that rbo greater Che truth Che greater Che ubcL This ot present prevails only Co n limited extent and only m criminal ubel actions
 "For a publisher Go pry iu;o oues domestic privacy and publish ccr- tain matters however truthful or to wan,ouly publish something Of motbors p.umI affhcuon would be crmIuauy ubcIous however truc and Che truth would only tend Co ag- uayato Che crime
 "Tbc true test oi whether an ar- ucIc s ubelous in itself depends up- ou whether Go Che mind Of am iutel- ueeut reader such article naturally impar.s criminal or d.asmccfu charge
 "A ubd may therefore be conn mIttci m Che following ways
 l Falsely charging criminal olensc
 "2 Falsely accusing @ person Of having some diseracoiul or obnoX- Iou disease
 "rbo disrraccfu diseases are generally ycacroal The obnoxious diseases are such as lerrosy small poz. plague and Che uko. wherein Che officials maintain a quarantine. and thereby prevent their association with society iu general To falsely accuse or nou-disgracelul or nom quarantine diseases Is not Of itself UbeIous
 "3 TO falsely accuse public official with mental or moral uut- ness Go perform his official duties
 "f Falsely publishing of any professional man. as lawyer or doe tor. a want Of knowledge or skm n his proie .ou.
 "5 False and injurious charges of a business
 "6 Falsely publishing any mot- Cor which brings Cor tends Col. dis uacc. scoru rIdiculc or obloquy upon Che accused party from Che public generally. and not from somo wcro class of people
 In ths last class there is mo. clear Ine of dcmarcouon between what Is ubclous and what Is not. Co. what acualy does result In public disgrace or ob.oquy.
 "ThIs last enumerated libel gives much trouble Co courts and jurors. because what one man may consider a boost another would consider @ knock.
 "To Che commission Of ubels above described there is Che following cx- ccnuon.