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The Right to Make Fun of Public Figures
Collection StructureFiring Line broadcast records > Episode guide > The Right to Make Fun of Public Figures
Item Title The Right to Make Fun of Public Figures
Guest Pilpel, Harriet F.
Guest Falwell, Jerry
Host Buckley, William F., Jr. (1925-2008)
Moderator Kinsley, Michael E.
Date CreatedJuly 06, 1988
Description

Hustler had published a satire which included Jerry Falwell having sexual

relations with his own mother, and Mr. Falwell had sued. Some had expected the

Rehnquist Court to take the opportunity to modify the "New York Times rule" on libel

suits involving public figures, but instead of softening the rule it held that obvious satire

does not constitute "reckless disregard for the truth." This show offers a crackling debate

on the whole subject of civil liberties versus individuals' rights. JF: "Had the ad been of

Harriet and her mother or father, I rather think she might be sitting where I'm sitting

today rather than there defending the issue." WFB: "No, actually she wouldn't, because

Harriet is a very principled woman, and she would, I think incorrectly, feel that this was a

sacrifice necessary to sustain the vitality of the First Amendment."

Language(s)
Country of Origin
Place RecordedNew York City, New York, United States
DimensionsDuration: 30 minutes
FormatMoving Image
Medium television programs
Aspect Ratio
4:3
Color
color
Soundtrack
sound
Hoover IDProgram S0784
Record Number80040.1030
NotesVideo not currently available for purchase.
RightsCopyright held by Stanford University. This copy is provided for educational and research purposes only. No publication, further reproduction, or reuse of copies, beyond fair use, may be made without the express written permission of the Hoover Institution Library & Archives on behalf of Stanford University.
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