Moak v. Philadelphia Newspapers, Inc.

Opinion by

Judge Rogers,

On March 11, 1974, after eighteen months of investigation, the Pennsylvania Crime Commission issued a report alleging ongoing, widespread and systematic corruption of all levels of the Philadelphia Police Department. The report made specific reference to about 400 members of Philadelphia’s police force as having been involved in corrupt and improper conduct,1 identifying these persons only by rank, first name, last initial and badge or payroll number. On March 12, 1974, Aaron *601Epstein, City Hall Bureau Chief for The Philadelphia Inquirer, made formal demand upon Bernard…