Short answer + two discussions

Short answer + two discussions

week 4 short answer :Please review key terms at the end of the chapter and answer questions 3, and 4 at the end of chapter 7 and questions 1, and 6 at the end of Chapter 8 in the eText.   Please cite to specific eText pages where you found support for your answers. 

  fashion discussion 

This week we are covering Lifestyle designers: Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan and Michael Kors.

Choose two of these designers and explain their brands success outside the comfort of fashion apparel.  Why do you believe their work is inspiring designers today to follow in their direction? Please include examples.

Law discussion 

In 2012, ABC news ran a story regarding BPI, a South Dakota meat processing company, describing the companys ground-beef  product as pink slime. The company sued ABC News for defamation claiming that the term nearly put the company out of business, forcing them to close down several plants (3 out of 4 plants) due to a decrease in revenue (a drop of 80%) as a result of the report.

The company sued ABC for $5.7 billion dollars, claiming that ABC, and its reporters Diane Sawyer and Jim Avila, defamed the company by using the term pink slime and making errors and omissions in its 2012 reporting. The company argued that it took 30 years to succeed in the industry and it took ABC less than 30 days to damage the company irreparably.

But ABC lawyer argued there was no defamation because pink slime was a common term, used more than 3,800 times in the media prior to ABCs reports. They also claimed that the company already lost customers prior to the report due to the unhappiness with the product. ABC claimed their coverage was accurate and deserved first amendment protection. Diana Sawyer, when deposed for the case, stated: I read the script and it seemed to be factual and fair and seemed to be credible reporting.

Please answer the following questions in your original post:

(1) Is the report considered defamatory? Product disparagement? Why or why not?
(2) Please provide a definition of defamation and apply the case to all elements of defamation to form the basis for your answer.

(3) Why do we have defamation laws in this country?
(4) Is it federal or state law?

You must post an original comment of 150-250 words with citation to sources used, such as eText page references and/or credible websites)