KATV Being Sued
Looks like KATV's Seven on Your Side has ruffled the feathers of a Hot Springs Man. This from Arkansas Business.com:
Hot Springs man on the receiving end of an investigative report is suing KATV-TV, Channel 7, consumer affairs reporter Jason Pederson and the Arkansas Department of Labor for defamation and invasion of privacy.
According to a civil lawsuit filed Jan. 16 in Pulaski County Circuit Court, a “Seven on Your Side” investigative report claimed Marshall Hancock, owner of an Hot Springs business that rents large inflatable toys and rock climbing walls, hadn’t met proper inspection laws before renting out his equipment.
The lawsuit says Mike Watson of the Department of Labor was quoted in the taped segment saying, “Mr. Han-cock has not notified our office of his intent to operate in this year or since May of last year” and that “we haven’t inspected him at all in over a year.”
But Hancock claims he has proof he was inspected three times during those two years and that the news report tarnished his name and caused severe loss of profits.
Hancock is seeking an unspecified amount of damages.
posted by ATN @ 7:25 PM
64 comments
64 Comments:
Good for that guy. 7 on your side really helped in the rock climbing/blow up toys biz in the Hot Springs.
Get a real problem to solve. C'mon, what's next? kids not sleeping at nap time.....
Well, it is a safety issue. But if Pederson had the state official telling him this information, that is supposed to be a reliable source. I say sue just the state. It more their fault than Pederson's.
...But the inspections should be public information and if Pederson did his homework...or his field prodcer if he had one did their homework...they would have found out that the state offical was wrong on the inspections. I believe I learn this in J-School 101. Pederson should be sued for not doing his job properly!
Another company that isn't a KATV client gets a call from 7 On Your Side.
Well if it's true that he was indeed inspected and was properly authorized, then yes, Pederson is liable. You can't report incorrect information in a way that will damage somebody's well-being. It's called slander, it's irresponsible and it can destroy somebody's reputation. The inspection records are public, and if they were there and accessible, then Pederson committed a cardinal sin of journalism.
Of course, if the business owner is just full of it, then good job to KATV for a legit report.
perhaps it's not all Pederson's fault. Shouldn't his story have proofed by an Executive Producer, Assistant News Director or even the news Director? I'm guessing none of them will pay any price for this if it goes to trial. I'm guessing it won't go to trial, though. After the WJLA fiasco a few years back Allbritton will settle.
Bet your mortgage on this: nothing will come of it.
Seven has a good lawyer and any good one could make mincemeat out of this. Proving slander and liability is an extremely difficult, expensive fight and chances are this guys business was one foot in the grave anyway. Sadly he has found a scapegoat.
The only victim here is usually the reporter getting sued since you can also bet the mortgage that everyone above Pederson who checked this will suddenly "misunderstand" what Jason was trying to do. If that's the case, the reporter usually bears the brunt of the finger-pointing.
If not, Jason has nothing to worry about and should continue getting the next scumbag who comes along.
thanks 7 on your side, I was about to get all wrapped up in the bouncing toy/ birthday CRIME going on in Hot springs. Thanks to you, I get to watch you BREAK THE LAW. Take you stupid "help" show and really try to help.
Actually, it's not that difficult to prove slander in this particular case. All the plaintiff has to prove is that the inspection and registration records existed and that they were available to the public. (If it's true, that's easy to prove) The plaintiff also has to show that he suffered losses or damages due to the reporting. (again, also easy to prove) It might be expensive, but if the records were there, a second year law student could prove this case.
Wrong... You have to prove he and the station did so maliciously and with intent.
Neither of which happened.
Just ask Richard Jewel how his settlement went.
Perdson is great at cracking jokes... not as good at working hard and getting things right !
Is there any way Arkansans can file a class-action lawsuit against Mike Francis? He puts thousands of us through unusual pain and mental anguish each morning !!!!
How about a class action suit against KATV for their awful weekend news team, led by Pam Smith?
And while we are at it... KARK has the worst reporting crew in the state. Bob and Jancey are good... the reporters are NOT ! Let's add them as co-conspirators !
This story is just a bunch of hot air! Get it, air? As in inflatable air stuff? HA HA HA HA
My God, Beth Hunt and Kristin Fisher are so hot.
Kristin might be hot, but, she bites as a journalist. She has a monotone delivery and doesn't dig deep for her information. But turn down the sound on your TV and she's fine !
The BEST journalist in town, by far, is Cecelia Pond-Mayo. The woman can cover a story and do it in depth. She rocks.
KATV has the winning formula... looks equal ratings! I mean... even Leland Vittert (was that his name?) had better hair than most women in the market !
Exactly why does our state government need to spend OUR money to inspect blow-up rides? The worst thing that might happen is tha a few rednecks get injured.. and then that video makes it to America's Funniest Home Videos !
I'd rather our government inspect Pete Thompson... how did that playa' ever get a job ????
Job description for weekend anchor:
1 -- look good.
2 -- be able to read.
3 -- have ears to hold earpiece.
4 -- look good.
5 -- have facial expressions.
6 -- know names of sports and weather people.
7 -- look good.
8 -- know how to sit in a chair.
9 -- watch that little light to know which camera to look into.
10 -- look good.
Usually people who say this kind of nonsense are people who've never anchored, have wanted to and didn't get the job, or did and failed.
I know a lot of average looking anchor people. You're telling me you think Matt Mosler looks good? Or the weeknight guy on 16?
Anyone can read, maroon. It's all about the intangible quality that makes an anchor a good one. Few in LR have it.
Guys, you only have to prove malicious intent with a public figure. This guy is not a public figure, therefore you only have to prove gross negligence. Read a journalism law book guys.
The person who posted at 1:15 has a good point, an anchor either has it or not. So who does have it in Little Rock?
Robyn Richardson ????
So.. that means journalists are supposed to CHECK THEIR SOURCES before going on air? Seems like a lot of work to me.. that cuts down on hair primping time !
the only fact checking that happens at katv is if the target of a 7 on your side story is a client or not.
Go check out the 7 On Your Side page at katv.com:
http://www.katv.com/onyourside.hrb?s=1450
I don't think KATV/Pederson is sweating much over this one.
Hancock is a scammer and a doofus. No way he wins.
C.P.Mayo isn't the best but she's not the worst......
for the person who wrote hancock is a scammer and doofus at 6:38 PM, February 05, 2007 . i have one question for you do you know him? if not you are doing the same thing that Pederson is being accused of and if you do know him why dont you post your name. Pederson may have made an incorrect report and if he did then the station and Pederson are responsible for any damage done if it was a correct report then they have nothing to worry about. Now the question is can you prove what you said about Mr. Hancock or do you like Pederson have contacts that told you this if so did you check to see if the info was accurate and correct.
I have seen the reports and weather or not one or the other (Pederson / Hancock) is correct or not it sure looks like Pederson is hounding the guy and if you watch his reports this is not the first time he has hounded somone. Just out of idle couriosity i wonder how many time the station and Pederson have been sued, of course the station is not going to report bad publicty about themselves.
The above poster is a PRO at run-on sentences !!!!
Seriously, is Beth Hunt actually getting HOTTER? I guess it's just that she's shed any baby weight she gained or something, because good golly she's lookin' fine as hell lately!
Beth is one of those women who will peak in her early to mid 30s.. the best is yet to come from our little dove !!!
You also have to put Melissa Simas on the "most improved" list.
The star of this market is Robyn Richardson. She could do a morning show anywhere in the country, including a network gig.
Ha Ha Ha.... Oh, Were you being serious?
Hello???? Robyn Richardson would be eaten alive in a large market and on a network national show. There is NO ONE in this market that could easily make that transition...maybe a move up from Little Rock to Memphis to Charlotte....but not Top 10, not yet. Robyn and Melissa Simas have a cheerful, upbeat delivery which is perfect for morning news. And if they grow and move into progressively larger markets, good for them! I also hope they take a lesson from Katie Couric...stay where you are best!
So you're saying that since she is so much younger... Melissa Simas is actually ahead of Robyn Richardson ????
How is Diane Sawyer any better than Robyn ????
Robyn has had plenty of opportunity to leave, and yes, go to huge markets, but her family is here, and her husband (who is a multimillionaire for those who didn't know) is here, and she has no desire to leave.
Everyone on this blog made fun of Mike Nicco, and now he is in San Fran. so you experts out there that think you can predict who has what it takes and who doesn't obviously don't know.
Do you remember Joe Penisquo? That sports guy from KARK? Even his annoying self went to a bigger market... who can say ?
Oh yeah, and TJ Holmes was never offered an anchor position in LR, but he went SF and now he is on CNN. People, please get over yourselves.
TJ got a make-over...
Robyn's husband made most of those "millions" from being a slum lord.
Just ask the small business owner that rents from him what kind of conditions the buildings are in. Ask them about the maintance agreement that they were forced to sign!
Who cares? Robyn gets to go to great parties and wear expensive dresses that show her boobs... so it's all good !!!
for the person who wrote hancock is a scammer and doofus at 6:38 PM, February 05, 2007 . i have one question for you do you know him? if not you are doing the same thing that Pederson is being accused of and if you do know him why dont you post your name.
Well let's looks at his track record...he's changed the name of his business multiple times in multiple communities. That smells like a scam to me. Moreover, according to 7OYS there have been complaints against Hancock in not 1 or 2, but 10 towns across the state If that doesn't say "Snake Oil" I'm not sure what does. If you think he's so trustworthy, maybe you should throw your money at him but I wouldn't recommend it.
Joe Pequeno went to a bigger market only because his buddy Rick Iler brought him there. Iler was news director at KARK and a weak one. For Pequeno, or whatever his name is, it's a perfect case of knowing the right person. Pequeno isn't too good at delivering sports because he's too off-the-wall and annoying, but he moved up.
Joe Pequeno went to a bigger market only because his buddy Rick Iler brought him there. Iler was news director at KARK and a weak one. For Pequeno, or whatever his name is, it's a perfect case of knowing the right person. Pequeno isn't too good at delivering sports because he's too off-the-wall and annoying, but he moved up.
And you're still trying to figure out why you haven't left. See mirror, examine self.
Have you seen Pequeno anchor? He's off-the-wall and annoying. My opinion. Has nothing to do with me being in Little Rock and him being where he is. My point is, if you know someone you can move up from Little Rock regardless of how good you are. That's not some jaded observation. That's a fact, relatively speaking. I could care less about whether or not an off-the-wall, annoying sports anchor moves to a bigger market. Good for him, but I don't care. I'm merely making a point about who you know versus what you know.
"Just out of idle couriosity i wonder how many time the station and Pederson have been sued..."
Since Pederson has been doing 7OYS, never. Check it out. That's not to say that DeeeeWayne was never sued for doing 7OYS.
DeeeWayne is such a loser
Hey, maybe Hancock will sue Houston Nutt next!
Or maybe the Democrat Gazette will give Houston Nutt space on the editorial page so he can tell "The rest of the story" and get a free shot at Wally.
Precedent is precedent. Fight on Seth. Keep comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable.
KATV is the worst place to work and the racial profiling down their at katv is something else.
KATV is the worst place to have a decent job and as soon as you work their you have to apply for food stamps.
Any one who wants to be in the TV industry please don't work for KATV because i use to work down their.
I also think KATV need to get a good but whooping and clean house the way they treat their employees.
one other thing KATV need to be sued for racial and job profiling and they have enought money to pay off.
If they have enough money to have bitches diging for diamonds in a cake they got money to pay off a lawsuit.
Craig O'Neil showed his true colors by being pregidous when T.J. was advancing up the ladder.
to the uneducated who calling the arkansas media affiliates dumb and stupid
these stations have powerful and also well connected out of state publicly traded owners
so stop blasting
kark which is owned nexstar broadcasting group in texas
katv which is owned by allbritton communications in bethedsa, maryland
kthv which is owned by the gannett media group in mclean, virginia
combined these three media giants are worth more than state of arkansas annual budget
especially gannett which has the great grandson of robert e. lee on its board of directors
It might not be a bad idea to go after the out of state owners as well for maximum damages:
AR Law: To establish a claim of defamation, a party must prove the following elements:
(1) the defamatory nature of the statement of fact;
(2) that statement's identification of or reference to the plaintiff;
(3) publication of the statement by the defendant;
(4) the defendant's fault in the publication;
(5) the statement's falsity; and
(6) damages.
i would be happy to testify against mr hancock on behalf of cahnnel 7 this man has recently scammed me out of $5200.00
and i do half the FBI investigating this case which will be a felony
I hope they get M r. Hancock and put him in jail for along time, he got me for over 800.00 for cotton candy machines that I never got for my youth group at my Church in Feb 2010 and then in April he tryed to sell the same thing to my sister, this guy is bad and something needs to be done......
Quite helpful piece of writing, thanks so much for your post.
This cannot have effect in fact, that is what I believe.
Post a Comment
<< Home