Ethics Assignment

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 national newspaper. It is sold by the cash register in most super markets. It is known as a tabloid paper because it gives information about famous people. There have been many instances where the people being reported about in that paper say the information is incorrect.

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

I think it was ethical for the National Enquirer to try to avoid suit in California. They were just trying to make it more convenient for themselves. They may have also been hoping that if she had to move her law suit to another state on the other side of the country that she would give up.

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

Yes the defendants are subject to suit in California. The product was sold in the state of California and the damage was done in California. Shirley Jones’s career is in California and this could cause damage to her career.