Abstract
This case study of a 1987 libel suit brought by entertainer Wayne Newton against NBC for that network's broadcasts about Newton's purchase of a Las Vegas hotel resulted in a jury award of $19 million reduced to about $5 million by the judge. Newton introduced public opinion survey evidence to prove damage to his reputation and the jury apparently was influenced by it, but not the judge. The authors argue that legal proof currently is less rigorous than is proof demanded by sound social science. Newton's lawyers argue that a post trial survey showed the $5 million award helped restore Newton's reputation — a trend that could be dangerous, the authors argue, if lawyers in the future say only a big award can restore a reputation.
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