Fuchs v. Scripps Howard Broadcasting Co.

Mark P. Painter, Judge.

{¶ 1} The media has great freedom in this country because we value its watchdog role. Yet the public’s right to know must be balanced by an individual’s privacy interests — and it is where these intersect that the courts must be careful to balance both interests.

{¶ 2} Here, a TV station did investigative reporting. It was sued for defamation. We hold that the trial court was correct in granting summary judgment to the station because it acted reasonably.

I. The Investigation

{¶ 3} Plaintiff-appellant J. Michael Fuchs, D.D.S., Inc., d.b.a. Family Dental Care Associates…