Using real people's names in the news on my podcast?

[jfelder]

I am doing a podcast episode right now. I started doing a segment called "odd news". I am just reading from an internet news site and I am using the actual names of the people in the news.

Tell me if I could get in trouble for using their names in my podcast. Is that slander? Is it wrong and could I be sued?

I'd like to rap this episode up tonight but I may have to edit their names out so a quick response would be appreciated.

thanks

[ovation]

If somebody is a public figure and in the news all the time - using their name is no problem.

If they're in the news occasionally it's still ok.

Where you get in trouble is commenting on Private people who are on no way public. Be careful or you might get in trouble.

And about that slander thing. The more public they are, the less likely you will get in trouble. In fact, they will probably appreciate the press - good or bad.

Still - if you spead something that is not the truth - of if they just don't like it - you're going to have a problem.

The choice is yours. If you want to be a "bad boy" then you'll dave to deal with the fallout just like the Sterns of the world do everyday. It certainly IS a way to get a reaction.

Scott

[jfelder]

If somebody is a public figure and in the news all the time - using their name is no problem.

If they're in the news occasionally it's still ok.

Where you get in trouble is commenting on Private people who are on no way public. Be careful or you might get in trouble.

And about that slander thing. The more public they are, the less likely you will get in trouble. In fact, they will probably appreciate the press - good or bad.

Still - if you spead something that is not the truth - of if they just don't like it - you're going to have a problem.

The choice is yours. If you want to be a "bad boy" then you'll dave to deal with the fallout just like the Sterns of the world do everyday. It certainly IS a way to get a reaction.

Scott

Cool, thanks.
I just put in beeps over their names so I wouldn't have to re-record. I had already recorded it all and my wife was listening and mentioned that she would not include their names. Next time I do the news I'll just say he or she or "a woman" or "a man".

Thanks so much for your response.

[roadrageradio]

I am doing a podcast episode right now. I started doing a segment called "odd news". I am just reading from an internet news site and I am using the actual names of the people in the news.

Tell me if I could get in trouble for using their names in my podcast. Is that slander? Is it wrong and could I be sued?

I'd like to rap this episode up tonight but I may have to edit their names out so a quick response would be appreciated.

thanks

Leave the names of private people out. Focus your attention on the amusing situation. Does the name add anything to the story? Probably not.

Also, remember to say "According to an article in the <name of newspaper>" or "AP is reporting that ..." or "Police said the woman was ..."

Two reasons for that: One is that you do not have first hand knowledge of the event in question, so all you can do is report that others are saying something. Second, you should attribute your source, and give them credit. They spent the time and money to get the story. All you did was read it.

And, last point: never NEVER read a copyrighted story verbatim. It's just like playing licensed music. Those words belong to the copyright holder, and while news services haven't been as nasty as the RIAA, there's nothing stopping them from going after YOU.

Paraphrase, re-tell, render the facts in a larger context. Make it your own slant on the story, relying on the source for just the factual details.

That's what we do on Road Rage. Check us out to see what I mean.

Oh, and, you didn't ask for advice on this, but if it were my podcast, I would have re-recorded rather than bleeped the names. Bleeping sends a different message and a podcast is forever.

[jfelder]

Thanks very much. I will remove the episode and rerecord it. Good to know.