• boydster@sh.itjust.works
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      20 hours ago

      It’s not in scare quotes. It’s one word from a longer quotation.

      “We do not need the murders, we do not need this paramilitary organization’s members on our streets, terrorizing U.S. citizens, terrorizing moms, terrorizing our children,” he said.

    • fonix232@fedia.io
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      20 hours ago

      Legal liability.

      Newspapers are responsible for what they publish, as libel laws apply. Spread misinformation to millions of people and you’re in deep shit - same reason why Drumpf is going after the BBC right now. Mind you libel only applies if the person or entity committing it is of a standing people would be inclined to believe - a random passersby shouting it thus isn’t libel, but a major publicarion stating it, would be considered as libel.

      Murder specifically has a legal definition, and to be legally called a murderer, one has to be convicted of murder. Not just charged, not just sent in front of a judge, but actually convicted. Even if the evidence presented to the public prior to a trial makes it obvious beyond a doubt, legally you can’t be called a murderer until you’re convicted, therefore the act itself can’t be called murder by the media either.