Multimedia WMAZ, Inc. v. Kubach

Pope, Chief Judge.

In this invasion of privacy case, defendant appeals from a jury verdict awarding plaintiff $500,000 in general damages and $100 in punitive damages.

Plaintiff has Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). In December 1989, defendant television station produced a live call-in show on the topic of AIDS and drug use. Through his physician, Dr. Harold P. Katner, plaintiff agreed to participate. Defendant told Dr. Katner, and Dr. Katner told plaintiff, that his face would not be recognizable to the television audience; and plaintiff would not have participated in the show…