Beef processor sues ABC News for defamation
A legal expert in Des Moines says a South Dakota beef processor that is suing ABC News for defamation faces a steep climb for a victory in court.
Beef Products Inc. sued ABC News, Inc. for defamation Thursday over its coverage of a meat product that critics dub ``pink slime.'' The company alleges that the network created an inaccurate impression that the product is unsafe.
The lawsuit seeks damages under South Dakota's defamation law, as well as a 1994 state law that allows businesses to sue anyone who knowingly spreads false information about a food product. A company lawyer says BPI will seek $1.2 billion in damages.
Drake University law professor Neil Hamilton says BPI may struggle to convince a jury that the news stories were defamatory or that harm was intended.
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