| For Immediate Release Jan 5, 2001 |
Contact: Press Office 202-646-5172 |
Libel Suit By Conservative Icon Paul Weyrich Against “New Republic” Reinstated Smear Campaign Not Appropriate Even Against Public Figures News Media, Beware! (Washington, DC) Today, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, reversed an order by the Honorable Thomas Penfield Jackson – the “Microsoft Judge” – which threw out a libel suit by conservative icon Paul Weyrich against The New Republic Magazine, its publisher, Martin Peretz, and others. In an article dated October 27, 1997, The New Republic wrote that Weyrich was [medically] paranoid and cited factual instances of his alleged symptoms, such as representations that he was seen foaming at the mouth. In a landmark decision during the Johnson Administration, The New York Times was held liable for making similar statements concerning Barry Goldwater, then a conservative presidential candidate of the Republican Party. Despite strong court precedent, Judge Jackson did not allow Weyrich’s similar lawsuit to proceed at the time it was filed, and looked to the D.C. Circuit for guidance. In a per curiam decision, the D.C. Circuit reinstated Weyrich’s claim and the case will now proceed. “This is a landmark decision by the D.C. Circuit. No longer can the media believe that it is immune to write or broadcast whatever it pleases about public figures, whether they are conservative, moderate or liberal. The day has come when the media must be responsible for its actions and pay a heavy price when the professional lives of public figures are damaged,” stated Judicial Watch Chairman and General Counsel Larry Klayman. “Following the publication of The New Republic article, which severely libeled Mr. Weyrich, he was dismissed as the head of NET Television. He remains, however, a conservative leader of the highest integrity as the founder of the Free Congress Foundation, despite the severe damage done to him by The New Republic,” added Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. | |