The New York Times covers CNN's censorship of Bill Maher on Larry King Live and his “speculation about some politicians' sex lives” but refuses to name RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman as the figure that Maher singled out on the show.
A spokesman for Larry King Live told the paper: “When someone says something potentially defamatory that we don't expect them to say live on the air, we typically won't be liable for it. However, if we continue to rebroadcast it, without any reporting of our own or any comment from the subject of the accusation, we could be legally responsible for what that guest said.”
Apparently the Times feels the “cautious interpretation of the law” observed by CNN extends to them as well.
Some Names Were Named, but Not for Long [nyt]
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