City Drops Defamation Lawsuit Against Newspaper for Editorial Criticizing Officials

The decision comes after a court judgment ordering deletion of the editorial triggered concerns about media freedom.
City Drops Defamation Lawsuit Against Newspaper for Editorial Criticizing Officials
Hinds County Chancery Judge Crystal Wise Martin during a hearing in Jackson, Miss., on Aug. 23, 2022. Rogelio V. Solis/AP Photo
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Clarksdale, a city in Mississippi, is dropping a lawsuit filed against The Clarksdale Press Register. The lawsuit had accused the newspaper of defaming officials.

On Feb. 8, The Clarksdale Press Register published an editorial titled “Secrecy, Deception Erode Public Trust” which criticized city officials at Clarksdale and the mayor for scheduling a special session to approve a request to the state to increase taxes on tobacco, marijuana, and alcohol. The session was scheduled without informing the public. State law requires that a copy of notices announcing specially called meetings must be sent to media and publications.
Naveen Athrappully
Naveen Athrappully
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Naveen Athrappully is a news reporter covering business and world events at The Epoch Times.