In a surprising reversal, Clarksdale, Mississippi, is dropping its lawsuit against a local paper after previously accusing it of libel.
On Feb. 13, the City of Clarksdale’s four commissioners voted unanimously to sue the Clarksdale Press Register for what it claimed to be libel. Specifically, the city took issue with a Feb. 8 editorial titled “Secrecy, Deception Erode Public Trust” that claimed the mayor and commissioners did not properly inform the media about a meeting to discuss a new tax.
“The notice was posted at city hall as required by law and said stated the city would ‘give appropriate notice thereof to the media,'” the editorial read. However, “This newspaper was never notified. We know of no other media organization that was notified.”
It added, “Have commissioners or the mayor gotten kick-back from the community? Until Tuesday we had not heard of any. Maybe they just want a few nights in Jackson to lobby for this idea – at public expense.”
The City of Clarksdale sued the Clarksdale Press Register for libel. (Google Earth | Brian A. Jackson/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Emmerich added the city’s decision to drop the suit was “probably in response to the overwhelming national criticism it received” and that the paper will restore the original editorial after the judge rescinds the temporary restraining order, which the city has also requested.
Fox News Digital also reached out to Espy and his city attorneys for comment.
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, which agreed to defend the Press Register, praised the decision in a statement on Tuesday.
“If asking whether a politician might be corrupt was libel, virtually every American would be bankrupt,” FIRE attorney Josh Bleisch said. “For good reason, courts have long held that political speech about government officials deserves the widest latitude and the strongest protection under the First Amendment. That’s true from the White House all the way down to your local councilman.”
Lindsay Kornick is an associate editor for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to lindsay.kornick@fox.com and on Twitter: @lmkornick.
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