Business Ethics Case Paper

1. What kind of paper is the National Enquirer?

The National Enquirer is a Florida based national weekly tabloid founded by William Radolph Hearst in 1926. In 1952 the paper was purchased by Generoso Pope, Jr. who then used strategic marketing skills by establishing the paper into supermarket shelves across the country in the 1970's (Randall, 1986). The magazine has the largest circulation in California and is available throughout the United States. The strategic marketing expertise of Genreroso led the paper’s success by providing information of famous people to the general audiences.

2. Was it ethical for the National Enquirer to try to avoid suit in California?

In the case under discussion, National Enquirer published an article about the plaintiff Shirley Jones that contained a libelous story about the respondent. California. The defendant, National Enquirer Inc, is based in Florida and the plaintiff, Shirley Jones, resides in California. The respondent decided to sue National Enquirer Inc. in the state court of California. The defendant tried to circumvent the suit by questioning the jurisdiction of the Californian court. The defendant claimed the court does not have any personal jurisdiction over them as they are located in Florida not California.

The defendant behaved unethically by showing their inability to face the lawsuit. The company intentionally tired to avoid the responsibility of their action by arguing that the court of California does not have sufficient material to apply personal jurisdiction on them. In addition, they even placed reliance upon the constitutional right of free speech to escape the consequences of their irresponsible act.

3. Are the defendants subject to suit in California? Why or why not?

Suit can be determined by the courts by the "minimum contacts" with the foreign state by jurisdiction (Quisi in rem) a plaintiff who obtains a judgment against a defendant...