Legally possible to force ESPN to reveal sources/admit fabricated stories?

[Brady6]

For years ESPN has made bold reports that offer accusations that disparage the Patriots, their players and their coaches. Every time the do this they hide behind an unnamed source, never providing any thing to substantiate their claims. It is my belief that they have no sources and much of what is reported is nothing more than a fabricated story by a journalist attempting to gain notoriety.

Based on my research online Massachusetts does not have a shield law. If the Patriots file a lawsuit against ESPN can they ask the court to force them to give up their sources or be held in contempt?

Could we as fan base file a class action to force them to reveal their information?

http://nypost.com/2014/07/07/yankees-fan-caught-sleeping-suing-espn-for-10-million/

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shield_laws_in_the_United_States

 

[IllegalContact]

i think the ESPN article is a bizarre attempt at adjusting their bias.........after reading the whole thing, it really kills Goodell more than anything and shines the light on other owners.......the next owners meeting should be pretty awkward

 

[NJPatsfan26]

Don't think it would get that far. I think the ESPN would just admit they were wrong and submit a broad legal document saying they have journalistic freedom or some BS.

 

[borg]

For years ESPN has made bold reports that offer accusations that disparage the Patriots, their players and their coaches. Every time the do this they hide behind an unnamed source, never providing any thing to substantiate their claims. It is my belief that they have no sources and much of what is reported is nothing more than a fabricated story by a journalist attempting to gain notoriety.

Based on my research online Massachusetts does not have a shield law. If the Patriots file a lawsuit against ESPN can they ask the court to force them to give up their sources or be held in contempt?

Could we as fan base file a class action to force them to reveal their information?

http://nypost.com/2014/07/07/yankees-fan-caught-sleeping-suing-espn-for-10-million/

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shield_laws_in_the_United_States

You need to get down to Bristol and confront the enemy head on. Join up with the Barstool 4 and find out where Mort's safe house is. He has to poke his head out eventually.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

i think the ESPN article is a bizarre attempt at adjusting their bias.........after reading the whole thing, it really kills Goodell more than anything and shines the light on other owners.......the next owners meeting should be pretty awkward

I doubt that.
After effusive apologies from influential, respected Bob Kraft everyone will be fine.
They can return to their plotting & whining once "Thank you Sir, May I Have Another? leaves the room.

 

[IllegalContact]

I doubt that.
After effusive apologies from influential, respected Bob Kraft everyone will be fine.
They can return to their plotting & whining once "Thank you Sir, May I Have Another? leaves the room.

poking the cage my friend.......when it comes to the haters, there's only one way to be....

 

[scott99]

I think the initial furor has calmed down a lot. I don't think it'll be like when Spygate first happened or even Deflategate. I haven't seen much said after the initial tidal wave yesterday morning, just ripples in the ocean. I figure by game time, it may get an initial mention, but not something that'll be mentioned all game long. That being said, the opposite wouldn't shock me as Pat's haters may try to ride the wave of hate all season long with the "once a cheater" mantra.

 

[VectorPrime]

I was routinely checking the main pages of the big named media sites yesterday and not once did I see it mentioned anywhere on the page. Deflategate got top headline attention for every development. This doesn't seem to be gaining traction.

 

[Don Kipines]

As a reporter I can say that any fan-based lawsuit wouldn't get very far. The problem with suing the media is that you have to demonstrate both a concrete injury and prove actual malice (a very high standard, although in this case it might fit, since the network was clearly aware their report was mistaken and left it up anyway).

As a rule of thumb it's virtually impossible to get a reporter to give up his or her source, and moreover trying to force the issue tends to make them look sympathetic.

A much more effective technique against a network would be targeted boycotts of its advertisers. Pick 2-3 ESPN advertisers who do a lot of business in New England, lead a public campaign to boycott their products, and watch -- ESPN will get very nervous very quickly.

Boycotts and public pressure against advertisers are extremely effective. Moreover they cost a lot less and work a lot faster than lawsuits.