{"id":2169382,"date":"2024-02-06T15:26:02","date_gmt":"2024-02-06T20:26:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/oklahoma-sports-broadcaster-awarded-25m-after-newspaper-falsely-labels-him-as-racist\/"},"modified":"2024-02-06T15:29:49","modified_gmt":"2024-02-06T20:29:49","slug":"oklahoma-sports-broadcaster-awarded-25m-after-newspaper-falsely-labels-him-as-racist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/oklahoma-sports-broadcaster-awarded-25m-after-newspaper-falsely-labels-him-as-racist\/","title":{"rendered":"Oklahoma sports broadcaster wins $25M after being wrongly labeled racist by newspaper"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Foklahoma-sports-broadcaster-awarded-25m-after-newspaper-falsely-labels-him-as-racist%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2169382&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p><!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\"><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Photo\u200c by FRANCOIS-XAVIER MARIT\/AFP via Getty \u200cImages)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Oklahoma\u200d High School Sports Broadcaster Awarded $25\u2062 Million in Defamation Lawsuit<\/h2>\n<p>A high\u200c school sports broadcaster\u2063 has been awarded\u200b $25 million after a newspaper\u200c wrongfully confused him \u2063with another \u200dbroadcaster\u2064 and insinuated that\u2064 he was racist. <\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-1663871513696-art-3\" style=\"min-width: 320px; min-height: 50px; text-align: center;\">  \t<script>  \t\tgoogletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1663871513696-art-3'); });  \t<\/script>  <\/div>\n<div class=\"ad-slot__ad-label\">Advertisement<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<p>A jury in Oklahoma\u200d awarded Scott Sapulpa $25 million on Monday, concluding that the largest newspaper publisher in\u200d the state had\u2062 wrongfully accused him of racism, mistaking him for a pundit who\u200b had made \u200cinfamously offensive and racist statements during a 2021 broadcast of a women\u2019s basketball game.<\/p>\n<p>Sapulpa received an award of $5 \u2064million in actual damages\u200b and\u2064 an additional $20 million in punitive damages from the Muskogee County jury.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\">\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re just so happy for Scott. Hopefully this will\u2063 vindicate his name,\u201d said Michael Barkett, Sapulpa\u2019s attorney.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Sapulpa claimed that the media company, <em>Gannett<\/em>, the parent company of <em>The Oklahoman<\/em>, had intentionally caused \u200chim emotional distress and \u2062defamed him, and the \u200bjury concluded that the newspaper had \u2062done so with actual \u200bmalice.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>(Photo via: <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/nondocmedia\">@nondocmedia<\/a> \u200cX Account)<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>A\u200b spokesperson from\u200c the newspaper, Lark-Marie Anton, stated that the company was disappointed by the verdict and that they planned to appeal. <\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\">\n<p>\u201cThere was no evidence presented to the jury that <em>The Oklahoman<\/em> acted\u2062 with any awareness that what was reported\u2064 was false or with any intention to harm the plaintiff in this case,\u201d\u2063 Anton said.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Before the women\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/makes-zero-sense-lebron-slams-sons-basketball-team-for-wearing-masks-under-their-chins\/\" title=\"'Makes Zero Sense': LeBron Slams Son's Basketball Team for Wearing Masks Under Their Chins\">high school basketball game<\/a>\u2064 between Norman and Midwest \u200cCity in 2021, a livestream host went on a \u201cracist rant\u201d regarding one of the teams and even cursed at them behind the scenes\u2063 after the players began kneeling during the national anthem.<\/p>\n<p>On \u2064the livestream, \u2064the presenters informed\u2063 their audience that they would return after a short break. Then viewers could hear someone saying, \u201cThey\u2019re kneeling?, (Expletive) them\u201d seemingly unaware that the microphone was still on. \u201cI hope Norman gets kicked in the ass\u2026(Expletive) (racist \u200bepithet),\u201d the man said. <\/p>\n<p>The newspaper first named Sapulpa as the source of the previous offensive remarks that were heard on the \u201chot mic.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>An attorney for Gannett, Bob Nelon, stated that the newspaper recognized the mistake and \u2064quickly took down Sapulpa\u2019s name, arguing that awarding Sapulpa so much money\u200c would \u201charm the smaller newspapers\u201d that the company \u200bowns.  <\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\">\n<p>\u201cNewspapers are\u2062 made up of people, and people make mistakes. Mistakes happen,\u201d Nelon said.\u200c \u201cGannett is made up of \u200cpeople \u2014 over\u2062 11,000 people. When you punish \u2064Gannett, you\u2019re punishing all\u200b those small-town newspaper \u200deditors.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Matt Rowan, the owner\u2064 of the operating streaming service, later told the newspaper that he was the one who actually made the \u201cracist remarks\u201d and not Sapulpa. He also apologized, blaming his \u201cblood-sugar levels\u201d and diabetes for the hot mic\u200c scenario. <\/p>\n<p>Following \u2063the verdict \u200con Monday, Sapulpa said that he felt \u201cnumb.\u201d <\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\">\n<p>\u201cMy kids, their last\u2063 name is cleared, too,\u201d he said with tears coming down his \u2064face.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Stay informed! Receive breaking news blasts directly to\u2062 your inbox for free. Subscribe\u2063 here. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oann.com\/alerts\">https:\/\/www.oann.com\/alerts<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"rc-widget-10bad2\" data-rc-widget data-widget-host=\"habitat\" data-endpoint=\"\/\/trends.revcontent.com\" data-widget-id=\"278641\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"dpsp-share-text\" style=\"margin-bottom:10px\"> \t\t \t\tShare this post!\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<h3>Judiciary\u200c Committee Chairman Jim Jordan: Case for Biden&#8217;s Impeachment is Compelling<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<h3>Report \u2064Reveals Lessons Learned\u200d from Lahaina Fires Response<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<h3>Self Defense Expert \u200cShares Tips for Personal\u2064 Safety<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<h3>Director \u2064of Docudrama Warns of Increased Terrorism Threat Due to Border Crisis<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<h3>Meta \u200cPlatforms to Label Images Generated by AI Services<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<h3>Tesla Shares Drop After \u200cSAP \u200dStops Procuring Their Electric Cars<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<h3>Amazon Introduces \u2064AI Assistant for Product Questions<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<h3>Probe \u200dinto Tesla \u2062Vehicles Upgraded to\u2064 Engineering Analysis<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> rnrn  <\/p>\n<h2> \u200d What\u2062 responsibility do journalists and news organizations have in verifying information \u2062before publishing or reporting on sensitive matters?<\/h2>\n<p><span>  Individuals for an unintentional mistake made by a few.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>However, Sapulpa\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/breaking-federal-investigators-reveal-likely-reason-for-helicopter-crash-that-killed-kobe-bryant\/\" title=\"BREAKING: Federal Investigators Reveal Likely Reason For Helicopter Crash That Killed Kobe Bryant\">legal team argued<\/a> that the newspaper company \u200chad not done enough to rectify the situation and had \u200ccontinued to damage Sapulpa&#8217;s reputation even after realizing their error.<\/p>\n<p>The lawsuit brought attention to the issue of mistaken identity and the power of defamation in today\u2019s \u200dmedia landscape. As the use of social media platforms \u200cand online news sources continues\u200b to grow, the potential for misidentification and false\u2064 accusations increases as well.<\/p>\n<p>It is essential for journalists and news organizations\u2063 to exercise caution and verify information before publishing or reporting on sensitive matters. \u2062The consequences\u2062 of misidentification and false\u2062 accusations \u2064can be severe, as demonstrated \u200bby\u2062 this case.<\/p>\n<p>The jury&#8217;s decision to \u2064award\u200c Sapulpa such \u2063a\u200b substantial amount reflects the importance of protecting \u200bone&#8217;s reputation and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/senators-say-its-time-for-al-jazeera-to-register-as-foreign-agent-of-qatar\/\" title=\"Senators urge Al Jazeera to register as Qatar's foreign agent.\">holding media organizations accountable<\/a> for their actions.<\/p>\n<p>While mistakes are inevitable, it is \u2062crucial for news \u2062outlets to take swift action in \u200drectifying any errors \u200cand mitigating the damage caused to individuals. The impact of false accusations can have long-lasting effects on a person&#8217;s personal \u2062and professional life.<\/p>\n<p>As society becomes increasingly reliant on the media\u2062 for information, \u2063it is imperative that\u200b journalists and news organizations adhere\u200b to ethical standards and prioritize accuracy over speed. The role of the media in shaping public opinion and perception\u2064 cannot be\u2062 underestimated, and with that power \u200ccomes a\u2063 responsibility to uphold\u200d the truth\u200c and avoid tarnishing \u200binnocent individuals.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Photo by JASON REDMOND\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>This case serves as a reminder that defamation can have significant consequences, both for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-official-claims-hamas-hostage-deal-closer-than-we-have-been-at-any-point\/\" title=\"Biden official claims Hamas hostage deal 'closer than we have been at any point'\">individuals\u2063 directly affected<\/a> \u200cby false accusations and for the\u2062 reputation of the media\u2064 industry as a \u2063whole. It is crucial for\u200b all parties involved to approach \u2062the dissemination of information with caution and \u2064respect for the truth.<\/p>\n<p>In conclusion, the Oklahoma\u200d high school sports broadcaster\u2019s successful \u2062defamation lawsuit against \u200ca prominent \u2063newspaper publisher highlights\u2062 the importance of\u2062 accurate reporting and the \u2063severe consequences of mistaken identity. News organizations must strive\u200b to uphold ethical standards and verify information before publishing to avoid damaging the reputations of innocent individuals. As consumers of news, it is our responsibility to demand accountability and \u200dreliability from the media, ensuring that\u2063 accurate information \u200cis disseminated \u2064and false accusations\u2063 are\u2063 not allowed to tarnish lives.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/body><\/html><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A sports broadcaster, Scott Sapulpa, was wrongly accused of racism by a newspaper, leading to a $25 million jury award in Oklahoma. The confusion arose when he was mistaken for another broadcaster<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2196,"featured_media":2169384,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/c3.oann.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/GettyImages-1241404200-scaled-e1707247896838.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[542],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2169382","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-oann"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/c3.oann.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/GettyImages-1241404200-scaled-e1707247896838.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2169382","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2196"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2169382"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2169382\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2169384"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2169382"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2169382"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2169382"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}