Publishing an Interview - Legal problems?

6 replies
Just wondering if anyone could help with this. I know some will say I should hire a lawyer for advice but i am not sure if its worth hiring a lawyer for this type of question.

I basically want to interview someone within my niche who was wronged by a big company. He wants to explain his side of the story and I expect it will probably be controversial but it will be a big traffic grabber.

So, can my site get into trouble if he says anything about them that they dont like?
#interview #legal #problems #publishing
  • Profile picture of the author Alan Petersen
    Anyone can sue or threatened to sue so yes, you could expect to feel some heat.

    But that's your modus operandi for this project, as you said yourself:

    "controversial but it will be a big traffic grabber".

    So the question is, can you take the heat?

    If you're selling the interview, expect more heat.

    There is always two sides of the story so maybe you should consider covering all your bases and interviewing the company for their side of the story as well.
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  • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
    Banned
    Originally Posted by Rambo007 View Post

    i am not sure if its worth hiring a lawyer for this type of question.
    I suspect that having such a site online for a few days or weeks may rather firmly make up your mind for you, on that question.

    Originally Posted by Rambo007 View Post

    can my site get into trouble if he says anything about them that they dont like?
    Yes, very easily indeed, I think - even if nothing he says is actually defamatory. Even if you're "in the right", they may be able to intimidate you legally; you can end up needing a lawyer anyway, and so on ...
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  • Profile picture of the author NicoleBeckett
    Originally Posted by Rambo007 View Post

    So, can my site get into trouble if he says anything about them that they dont like?

    Your interviewee has freedom of speech; he can assert any opinion he wants. However, if the article on your site winds up libeling this company in the process, then, yes, expect a letter from an attorney.

    When I was in TV news, we dealt with issues like this on a daily basis. There was always someone accusing someone else of something (even if it was just a "basic" crime story).

    My advice? Write the article very carefully (among other things, making certain to point out that these are your interviewee's opinions, not yours). Just to be safe, I'd call the company in question and ask for their response. Chances are they won't want to talk to you, but you'll be able to say that you tried. (even a "no comment" is better than not giving them a chance to speak up at all).

    And, yes, if I were you, I'd consult with an attorney who understands the intricacies of media law. That way, even if the company contacts you later, trying to bully you, you'll know that, legally, you've crossed your T's and dotted your I's. Better to be safe than sorry
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  • Profile picture of the author Kate C
    If you are doing it for the right reasons such as creating awareness for this company's bad ways and not to just to get traffic at their expense then I guess you have good reason to do it. What I have found out from this industry though, is that you have a much better chance of being successful if you are good to people. If people get the impression you are looking for something bad about them to make money from, you could get a bad reputation very fast. Having said that, that is just my opinion, because this forum is about helping each other succeed so I would point out if something might do the opposite for you. As a one off strategy, maybe, but you want something that will build your business and good reputation in the long run. People can sue for anything so be very careful.
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  • Profile picture of the author Richard Tunnah
    Originally Posted by Rambo007 View Post

    Just wondering if anyone could help with this. I know some will say I should hire a lawyer for advice but i am not sure if its worth hiring a lawyer for this type of question.

    I basically want to interview someone within my niche who was wronged by a big company. He wants to explain his side of the story and I expect it will probably be controversial but it will be a big traffic grabber.

    So, can my site get into trouble if he says anything about them that they dont like?
    I think you need to tread carefully especially if it's a big company you are playing with. Remember large companies have legal teams or lawyers on retainer that could cost you thousands just to defend yourself if a case is brought.

    Rich
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  • Profile picture of the author Ryan Even
    Wow, that is situation where it's tricky enough that you just might want to speak with a lawyer.

    Or to be safe, don't mention the name of the company in the interview, just say call them "Mega Company X" or something.
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