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Question on writing RR stories for publication

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LC: The legal question is Defamation of Character (libel in the written form). To do this, you have to make intentionally (or grossly negligent) false statements about an identifiable person that would cause them financial or social harm. So first, you have to lie, or, you have to make unsupported accusations. For instance, after observing a fellow employee show up for work with alcohol on his breath, you write: "Mr. Smith is clearly a drunkard." All you actually know is that he smells of alcohol. Thus, if yousay, "I wondered if Smith was a drunk," you're stating this is your opinion, not fact, and opinions are usually protected speech. The second consideration is if the person is a public figure. Railroad employees other than the top executives are not public figures and thus have a greater legal expectation of privacy. Take a look at the Associated Press style handbook, which has an excellent guide to libel. The other question you're asking is how you protect the reputation of others you've worked with. Should you want to do that, you'd want to begin changing names, places, and dates -- and maybe not write at all. It's really a personal choice. You're under no legal obligation to do so (so long as you don't commit libel), but you may feel a personal obligation.
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