3.5 Business Ethics

3.5 Business Ethics

The National Enquirer, Inc., is a Florida corporation with its principal place of business in

Florida. It publishes the National Enquirer, a national weekly newspaper with a total circulation of more than 5 million copies. About 600,000 copies, almost twice the level in the next highest state, are sold in California. The National Enquirer published an article about Shirley Jones, an entertainer. Jones, a California resident, filed a lawsuit in California state court against the National Enquirer and its president, who was a resident of Florida. The California lawsuit sought damages for alleged defamation, invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Calder v. Jones, 465 U.S. 783, 104 S.Ct. 1482, 79 L.Ed.2d 804, Web 1984 U.S. Lexis 4

(Supreme Court of the United States)

1. What kind of paper is the National Enquirer?

The National Enquirer is a supermarket tabloid that is known for fabricating and exaggerating celebrity information as it pertains to media news, celebrity gossip, and even crime.

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

I believe that it is unethical for the National Enquirer to avoid a suit in California, given the fact that the National Enquirer sells a large portion of their paper in the state of California. I think that the National Enquirer is aware of the potential damage the paper may have on those mentioned in their issues and due to that knowledge they are responsible for the damage.

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

I believe that the defendants are subject to suit in California because the National Enquirer distributes a large portion of their paper in California. Also the accuser resides, and works in California, and her career based in California may be affected based on the accusations from the National Enquirer. With this information I think the publisher loses the first amendment defense.