• About
  • Archer Paranormal Investigations (API)
  • Contact
  • Equipment
    • Go-To Tools
  • Media

The Haunted Librarian

~ Researching, investigating, and writing about the paranormal.

The Haunted Librarian

Tag Archives: slander

Slander in the Age of Post-Truth: Burke Ramsey Files Defamation Lawsuit

02 Monday Jan 2017

Posted by The Haunted Librarian in Cemeteries, Crimes, Famous People, Scams, Slander, Slander in Paranormal Community, The Haunted Librarian, Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

burke ramsey, defamation, jonbenet ramsey, lawsuits, ParaScammers, slander, st james episcopal church cemetery

burkeramsay
jonbenetexhumed
jonbenetramsey

 

Slander in the Age of Post-Truth: Burke Ramsey Files Defamation Lawsuit

 

JonBenet Ramsey rests in eternal peace alongside her mother and half-sister Elizabeth in St. James’ Episcopal Church Cemetery across the street from my daughter’s school. It happens to be my church’s cemetery, as well. It is a small, quiet cemetery. I pass it at least twice a day during the school year. Every time I drive by, I think of JonBenet. Her murder was a tragedy that persists because no one has ever been arrested or convicted for the crime. Americans with their fascination with true-crime books and TV shows are consumed with her death.

 

Twenty years ago 6 year old beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey was murdered in her Colorado home. Her parents, John and Patsy, along with her brother, Burke, were suspects early on in the investigation. All three were cleared (see http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/29/us/jonbenet-ramsey-murder-fast-facts/). However, this didn’t stop one “documentary” from naming Burke as the killer. The Case of: JonBenet Ramsey debuted to lukewarm reviews capitalizing on the public’s infatuation with this tragedy. Ultimately, CBS may pay substantially for its recklessness.

 

The 2-part production was riddled with slanderous accusations. It was clear that the network merely sought to capitalize on ratings and advertising dollars. Producers dismissed the conclusions of law enforcement and multiple witness testimony concluding that Burke, who was 9 years old at the time, committed the murder. They’re wrong, but in the age of “post-truth,” this did not matter. All CBS saw were dollar signs. Hopefully, they will pay—and pay dearly. Burke Ramsey filed a staggering $750 million dollar defamation lawsuit this past week (see http://variety.com/2016/biz/news/jonbenet-ramsey-cbs-lawsuit-1201949899/ for more information).

 

Shortly after the series aired several “news” outlets suggested that JonBenet’s body was exhumed. It wasn’t; however, it sold a lot of tabloids. According to The Oxford Dictionary, post-truth means “relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.” Although routinely applied to political arguments, post-truth is when facts are ignored and replaced by emotional opinions. Needless to say, this is dangerous territory. By making an emotional appeal that someone—anyone—should be held accountable for JonBenet’s death, the producers believe that they can get away with framing Burke. They shouldn’t though.

 

Media is rampant with slanderous comments. There are numerous laws against and related to slander. However, law enforcement routinely avoids charging someone. Often the only recourse is civil court, which is expensive. To some, it is easier to defame and to get away with it while profiting. That is why this case is important. If Burke’s legal team is successful, they may be able to set a precedent for others seeking remedies in similar actions. Similarly, they rely on Hulk Hogan’s defamation case against the now defunct Gawker Media to bolster their case. These cases may pave the way for others with limited income to successful sue for defamation.

 

The paranormal community has its share of profiteers who slander others in order to make a quick buck. This article is meant to place them on notice. Don’t make up stories about the living or the dead. (Yes, the dead cannot sue for slander, but it’s unethical just the same.) In addition, don’t repost or share stories that you suspect to be fake. Paranormal researchers should hold themselves to higher standards. By doing so, they establish credibility and limit their exposure to potential lawsuits.

 

Amy Bruni–Still NOT Fired

16 Thursday Jul 2015

Posted by The Haunted Librarian in Breaking the News, Ghost Hunters, In the News, Slander

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

amy bruni, amy was not fired, ghost hunters, libel, slander

Amy Bruni

Amy Bruni

Amy Bruni took to her official Website and posted a well thought out and candid blog addressing the misinformation about her leaving Ghost Hunters. In it she adamantly denies that she was fired from GH. I encourage everyone remotely interested in this story or in slander and libel consequences in general to read the blog.

http://www.amy-bruni.net/my-departure-from-ghost-hunters/

Let’s put this story to bed for the last time!

A word of caution: In most jurisdictions the mere continuation of spreading slanderous/libelous comments makes one libel just the same as the originator of those comments.

The Haunted Librarian

Marietta, Georgia

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Follow me on Twitter

My Tweets

Archer Paranormal Investigations

Archer Paranormal Investigations

Archives

Categories

Top 50 Paranormal Blogs & Websites

Blog at WordPress.com.

Cancel