Posted by Former Journalist, hildawgg@yahoo.com, on 10/20/03

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Student newspaper has published several defamatory articles
about me and has not responded to letters I have written to
the editor.
I am an ex-writer for a community college newspaper. I left
the paper because I had differences with the former Editor
In-Chief, current EIC, and the advisor.
Last year I was awarded $1200 by the student body governing
board to travel to Mexico and conduct research with a group
of graduate students from USC. The student body became
excited about the prospect of having one of their community
college students working with the likes of students from
USC, so they funded my research. In return I agreed to give
a presentation and write a research paper. The student body
never gave me a deadline.
I may have been a little ambitious and under-estimated the
magnitude of what would be required to complete this
because it has almost been a year and I have not been able
to complete my project.
The student newspaper has blown this whole thing out of
proportion and written a series of articles in which they
attack my character. They make is seem as if I've skipped
town with student's money and have not fulfilled my
obligation to make the presentation.
On top of that, they printed that I transfered to a four-
year university, which is not true. They called a student
worker at another university under false pretense of
wanting to know about Columbus Day, never telling her it
was an interview regarding me, mentioned something about
the research and completely turned her words around.
They never once contacted me in regards to this.
I wrote them a letter and they did not publish it because
this would make them lose all credibility.
They continue to write articles and editorials about me.
Is there anything I can do stop them from harrassing me
further?
I'm not denying that I have not given the presentation but
I havent exactly skipped town like they are making it seem.
On top of this, the writers of the article are my sworn
enemies. Am I wrong to think this a complete conflict of
interest?
Please help me. I am desperate. I am about to have a
nervous breakdown.
Should I just count my losses and move on...or should I
take them to court?

Re: College Newspaper-Slanderous Articles, 12/06/03, by Hardy Parkerson, Atty..

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