Last week, Sean Hannity interviewed me about an alleged double standard: liberals are allowed to inject name-calling into the political arena but conservatives cannot without facing major repercussions.
When will Americans, regardless of political allegiance, tell both the media and politicians, “Enough of the name-calling; what is your position on the issues?”
Jerry Brown’s staffer called Meg Whitman a “whore.” Joy Behar called Sharron Angle a “bitch.” Sarah Palin called Alaska’s media “corrupt bastards.” Chicago’s ABC-affiliate reported that Governor Pat Quinn committed bribery because he allegedly agreed to pay state contractors in exchange for their vote. Sharron Angle’s attorney accused Harry Reid of trying to “steal” the election. An anonymous writer claimed to have a one-night stand with conservative Tea Partier Christine O’Donnell.
In law, “slander per se” is defamatory language that, by its very nature, is presumed to damage a person’s reputation. Very few statements are considered slander per se: that a person committed a major crime, that a person has a highly contagious disease, that a person is incompetent at their profession and that a person is sexually promiscuous.
Granted, public figures and politicians are immune to defamation, including slander per se. Still, if statements would be considered slanderous per se if said about the average American, why should it be allowed to be used by the media and our political candidates?
The media shouldn’t report that a political figure committed a crime unless it has facts to support the allegation. A reporter shouldn’t be allowed to expose a female candidate’s sexual prowess anonymously.
According to the Pew Center on the Internet & American Life, 25-million people are “online political activists.” As a result, the media’s reporting and politicians’ public statements have a ripple effect as millions of people write and blog about hate-filled speech and unsubstantiated allegations. The consequences of the internet “telephone game” are potentially disastrous.
Election Day is around the corner. That means we must prepare ourselves for the kitchen-sink attacks by the candidates and the media alike. Take the message for what it’s worth: an attempt to sway our vote based on emotion. Don’t be duped; vote on the issues, not on a baseless accusation.
Tamara N. Holder is one of the nation’s rising attorneys and legal analytical stars. She is a Contributor for the Fox News Channel. She has received recognition from some of the country’s most respected people, organizations and publications. Tamara founded The Law Firm of Tamara N. Holder, LLC, in 2005. Her work includes: criminal defense, expungement, race discrimination, police brutality, public policy, and pro bono practices. Seeing the need for outreach in this area, Tamara founded www.xpunged.com, a practice that provides a second chance to those individuals who have expungeable offenses under Illinois law.
