abusesaffiliationarrow-downarrow-leftarrow-rightarrow-upattack-typeburgerchevron-downchevron-leftchevron-rightchevron-upClock iconclosedeletedevelopment-povertydiscriminationdollardownloademailenvironmentexternal-linkfacebookfiltergenderglobegroupshealthC4067174-3DD9-4B9E-AD64-284FDAAE6338@1xinformation-outlineinformationinstagraminvestment-trade-globalisationissueslabourlanguagesShapeCombined Shapeline, chart, up, arrow, graphLinkedInlocationmap-pinminusnewsorganisationotheroverviewpluspreviewArtboard 185profilerefreshIconnewssearchsecurityPathStock downStock steadyStock uptagticktooltiptwitteruniversalityweb
Article

2 Aug 2017

Author:
Jamie Lynn Crofts, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of West Virginia (USA)

This Coal Baron's Lawsut Against John Oliver Is Plain Nuts

...Murray, the CEO of the Ohio-based Murray Energy Corporation...has a history of suing journalists, media outlets, and activists who call out his unethical practices... 

On June 18, “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver”...took aim at the practices of many in the coal industry, including...Murray[.]...Murray responded by suing John Oliver and HBO for defamation over what he insists are false claims...His lawsuit also references hurt feelings over the personal insults... 

...Satire, hyperbole, offensive speech, and comedy are all protected by the First Amendment — that’s especially true with regards to speech about public figures on matters of public concern...Courts should never be used as a sword... 

Unfortunately, Murray is not the only one unleashing frivolous lawsuits to silence this kind of speech. This past February, ACLU clients...reached a successful settlement with the local landfill that sued them...for speaking up about the environmental harms that landfill was causing their community... 

Both cases demonstrate how critical free speech is to the defense of matters as important as environmental justice and workplace safety. It’s a basic constitutional principle...that you don’t get to sue media organizations because you don’t like their coverage...

Part of the following timelines

Murray Energy lawsuit (re John Oliver’s alleged defamatory TV sketch, USA)

USA: Murray Energy sues John Oliver for defamation after statement on company’s alleged lack of safety measures for miners

Privacy information

This site uses cookies and other web storage technologies. You can set your privacy choices below. Changes will take effect immediately.

For more information on our use of web storage, please refer to our Data Usage and Cookies Policy

Strictly necessary storage

ON
OFF

Necessary storage enables core site functionality. This site cannot function without it, so it can only be disabled by changing settings in your browser.

Analytics cookie

ON
OFF

When you access our website we use Google Analytics to collect information on your visit. Accepting this cookie will allow us to understand more details about your journey, and improve how we surface information. All analytics information is anonymous and we do not use it to identify you. Google provides a Google Analytics opt-out add on for all popular browsers.

Promotional cookies

ON
OFF

We share news and updates on business and human rights through third party platforms, including social media and search engines. These cookies help us to understand the performance of these promotions.

Your privacy choices for this site

This site uses cookies and other web storage technologies to enhance your experience beyond necessary core functionality.