The Klan and the Rhino
Thursday update: Interesting take by a national Klan leader.
Our friends up the street at the Rhino have sued the KKK alleging unfair and deceptive trade practices when the hate group used the tabloid to weight down their racist leaflets when they toss them onto yards.
It's a despicable practice, and one of which we've been a victim. It hadn't occurred to me that we might have control over a paper after it has been sold to a reader, but who knows?
"We believe in freedom of the press, but when it comes to the stuff they're putting out there, and damaging legitimate publications, that's a whole other thing," Rhino publisher Willie Hammer said.
Personally, I hope the Rhino wins its suit. Not only might it stop the practice, but we'd have precedent for a legal action when we're called "The News & Fishwrap."
Comments (9)
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Mr. Robinson Sir, I take back and apologize for all the nasty things I have called the News and Record. Please don't sue me!
Posted on September 6, 2006 9:25 AM
Don't worry, Brenda, I'm not a vindictive person.
Posted on September 6, 2006 12:08 PM
"Tabloid?" Tsk, tsk, John.
Not to nit-pick, but precedent wise, you'd have grounds for a lawsuit only if no one ever actually wrapped fish (or lined birdcages & filled litter boxes) with your newspaper.
Posted on September 6, 2006 6:01 PM
Umm, I was just kidding about the suit...and savoring the irony of Willie Hammer's quote.
Posted on September 6, 2006 6:08 PM
Of course you were;)
Just thought it prudent to point out that truth is an absolute defense.
But the Rhino's still just a "tabloid"? Maybe Mr. Hammer could sue you for that.
Posted on September 6, 2006 9:54 PM
Actually, not to nitpick, but in the business, tabloid doesn't always mean the same thing it might to other people. Tabloid refers to the size of the paper in question. Check it out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabloid
Posted on September 6, 2006 10:54 PM
On the "tabloid" question, I think Mel's right. Surely John didn't mean to impugn the journalistic standards of the Rhino Times.
Totally unrelated question having to do with newspaper terminology: is an opinion piece on the same page as the editorials an "op-ed" piece, or is that label reserved for opinion piece on the page opposite the editorial page? Inquiring minds want to know. . .
Posted on September 7, 2006 1:38 PM
Brian, op-eds typically are pieces that run on the facing page -- the Second Opinion page.
Hence the term "op-ed," as in opposite the editorial page.
Posted on September 7, 2006 3:15 PM
Allen:
Thanks. That's what a journalist told me one time, but I didn't believe him (because he was a journalist). But I believe you.
Posted on September 8, 2006 1:57 AM