Episode 36
The Future of Free Press: Will a 60-Year Precedent Fall?
Summary:
Steve Wynn's legal challenge to defamation laws threatens a 60-year precedent set by Times vs. Sullivan. In this discussion, Dr. Jim explores the potential consequences for press freedom if Wynn’s case triumphs, making it easier to sue media for unfavorable reporting. Could this pave the way for state-controlled media reminiscent of dictator-led nations?
Chapters:
| 0:00 | Introduction to Red Line Being Crossed |
| 0:12 | Impact on Free Press and Current Case in Courts |
| 0:15 | Overview of the Steve Wynn Defamation Case |
| 0:29 | Times vs. Sullivan: A 60-Year Precedent |
| 1:18 | Implications of Overturning Defamation Law |
| 2:12 | Threat of State-Run Media in the US |
| 3:02 | Potential Consequences of Supreme Court Decision |
Subscribe to the Show: https://youtube.com/@cascadingleadership?si=Bvj34b6Tg7-u3Qew
Music Credit: Good_B_Music
Mentioned in this episode:
Left in Exile Intro
Left in Exile Intro
Transcript
Now, let me set the stage. The case that's working through the court system involves Steve Wynn, who is a Trump ally and casino mogul, who is challenging the defamation rules that have been in place for decades.
So what does that mean? That [:Now, the Wynn case that is working its way through the court system seeks to overturn that 60 year precedent and make it a lot easier for people to litigate members of the press and members of the media for reporting that they don't like.
And if Wynn were to win that case, What it means is that anybody, anywhere, can sue the press, right or wrong, and tie them up in court.
And what this will do is create a chilling effect in the press in reporting anything that is remotely negative.
We [:This is how. If you want to set up state run media, you got to do two things. One, you need to have you or your allies occupy all the positions of power in the media channels that distribute the information.
So we've seen that happen with radio, where a vast majority of radio stations are owned by Sinclair Broadcasting.
We've seen it across a number of TV networks where their billionaire owners are Staunch Republican or Trump supporters.
We're seeing it in social media where you have billionaires who are aligned with dictators and dictatorships owning social media platforms and controlling the flow of information.
The one pillar that's left is print media to a certain extent.
t's what's at stake here. If [:In the U S
that is the red line that cannot be crossed. And if it's crossed,
You better make sure that all of your paperwork's ready because this rides over
and it's time to get off.
