Family Guy and South Park libel

[oligopoly]

Does any one know how the writers of these two shows get away with their scandalous/libelous jokes and depictions of celebrities (michael jackson, christopher reeve, any US politician etc). Is it because the writers are somehow protected from illegality or is it simply the case that the celebrities decide not to take action??

Thanks

[Artful]

I don't know "Family Guy" and I've never watched "South Park" so I can't help you, oligopoly.

[Gevs1966]

Then why did you answer?

[ICEMANSAV]

It may be something to do that they are using the real name of the celebrity but their disclaimer states that any " coincidence " of being linked to the said celebrity is purely by chance. Therefore due to the people being nothing more than animators paint they will not be liable. But I am probably wrong.

[chazza]

Not sure about southpark but i know that family guy has been banned in the states

[jno]

libel is a lot harder to prove in the USA; people in the public eye are deemed to have given up some of their privacy. But I would imagine also that celebrities fear they might look like prats if they sued cartoon shows.

[HAnn521]

OK...everyone chill...out of all the posts on this thread, no one has yet to answer poor oligopoly's question...

So, help has arrived...as some of you may already know (because it seems a lot of you spend your lives on this site), I am an American..so naturally I know these TV shows well...(Sidenote: chazza, Family Guy is definately not banned here, both shows are still shown on regular channels.)

Now for The Answer: The claims on these programs aren't purported to be fact, so they cannot be "false" - they are treated as satire only. Libel pertains to false claims of fact that are damaging. Because satire is not believable as fact, it cannot be damaging. Public figures, cannot sue for "intentional infliction of emotional distress." They pretty much have to put up with the stuff.

Source: I got my college degree in journalism and this answer came from an instructor of mine who taught Media Law and Ethics.

Hope this answers the question, and just a reminder...this is a Q and A website...

[Mattk]

family guy has been banned in the states ?

then why is series 4 being screened at the moment ?

also,it was removed by fox as it wasnt a ratings success in their opinion but after meteoric dvd sales they re-thought this strategy and put it back on - it was never banned.

[HAnn521]

Mattk, did you not read my post?...I said Family Guy is still showing...the exact channel replaying the season is TBS...

Hmm..sometimes I think my post shows up in the thread, but I'm the only one who can see it...

[Artful]

HAnn521, there are times when posts will cross in space so maybe that's what happened when you and Mattk eack posted your respective posts, it isn't that Mattk didn't read yours, maybe at the time it just wasn't there for him to read.

Don't forget this is a Q&A site (I believe you are aware of this) and at times people may require further information about the subject in order to understand properly what is being discussed.

[oligopoly]

Well cheers for the replies guys. I think that all makes sense now. Oh, and HAnn521, i think people may respect your posts and knowledge more if you got off your fairly high horse...

Thanks

[chazza]

The ban has since been lifted.  I think this has happened at least once