Published: August 03, 1999
Last Updated: January 03, 2000
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Table 38 NEWS JUDGMENT "In your opinion, should the press report the names of people who are suspected of committing crimes if they haven't yet been formally charged, or should the press wait until formal charges have been brought against a suspect before reporting his or her name?" Total Public Publish before charges 7% Wait until formal charges 86 It depends 2 Don't know 5 "You’ve received reliable information that the chairman of a local suburban planning board in your area is suspected of receiving kickbacks from hasn’t yet been formally charged. Do you publish the story before charges are filed?" Total Newsroom Publish before charges are filed 12% Wait until formal charges are filed 37 It depends 49 Don't know 2 "Some people think that the courts should make it easier for people to win lawsuits against the news media -- for instance, Richard Jewell, who was accused but then cleared of the responsibility for the Olympic Park bombing a few years ago. Other people think this will prevent the news media from reporting stories that the public needs to hear about. Which comes closest to your view? Total Public Should make it easier to win lawsuits 40% That would limit news reports the public needs to hear 41 Neither/other 7 Don't know 12