CNN Sued For $1.3 Billion Over Cafferty Remarks

Jack Cafferty set off a firestorm in China after his remarks (seen here) that the the nation is full of "goons and thugs" and that their exports are "junk." The Chinese government demanded that CNN apologize, which they did (lukewarmly), but the apology was apparently not enough for some Chinese citizens.

Reuters reports that CNN is now being sued by two Chinese citizens for $1.3 billion, or one dollar per Chinese citzen:

A Chinese primary school teacher and a beautician have filed a suit against CNN in New York over remarks they say insulted the Chinese people and are seeking $1.3 billion in compensation -- $1 per person in China, a Hong Kong newspaper reported.

The case against the Atlanta-based cable channel, its parent company Turner Broadcasting and Jack Cafferty, the offending commentator, comes after 14 lawyers launched a similar suit in Beijing alleging that Cafferty's remarks earlier this month violated the dignity and reputation of the Chinese people....

In New York, Liang Shubing, the beautician, and Li Lilan, a Beijing-based elementary school instructor, claimed Cafferty's words insulted all Chinese people and "intentionally caused mental harm" to the plaintiffs, the Ta Kung Pao newspaper reported on Thursday.

Previously: China Demands Apology From CNN's Cafferty For "Goons And Thugs" Comment

Comments

[dana94591]

What chilling effect? Like a guy can't blow off steam without having a nation sue him!

[GenXer]

It is obvious that he was speaking of the Chinese Government not the people, and they have too few regulations on products they produce. You would think that if Mattel, Reebok or any other company was saving a lot of money on labor costs, they could spend a few dollars on quality control to check for toxins and lead. One child died of lead poisoning because of a free charm he recieved with his Reebok shoes, it contained 99% lead. Companies that outsource still need to be responsible. Go Jack, Free Speech rules!

[Eric8869]

Me So Offended

[marykins123]

Cafferty is the only one left in the media that speaks truth instead of spin.
What I do find so funny in this article is - or one dollar per Chinese citzen. Now that put the absolute VALUE that the Chinese put on their people - ONE DOLLAR. Is it any wonder that they care not what comes into this or any other country and would cause a problem - you are just worth a DOLLAR
GO JACK GO!!!

[dana94591]

Maybe all of them can go to the 99 cents store and buy back some of their goods!

[MarkieBee]

good point...of course, to them, girls are worth only 73 cents.

[NoFactsJustTruth]

Perhaps it's then time for Hundreds of Billions in lawsuits AGAINST CHINA on behalf of the people suffering everywhere from poison paint children's toys and poison pet food that the Chinese government does not even try to quality control, not to mention filthy food habits that transfer wild animal viruses to the world's population, like SARS.

[ButterflyWeed]

Dang, we shoulda sent 'em our dead dogs and cats C.O.D.

[Herrington]

Libel - the making of false and damaging statements about somebody. The burden of proof will be on the Chinese to show that they are not thugs and goons. The Chinese would have to show that all 1.3 billion Chinese are not thugs. I anticipate a long trial as each of them will have to testify. Good luck with that.

[seemlessweb]

Not to mention the "minor" problems of venue and personal and subject matter jurisdiction.

[dana94591]

LOL!!!

[AdamX]

What a joke! Cafferty said NOTHING against Chinese people. His commeny was CLEARLY about the government. Besides - aren't these folks American?

[mellene]

That's too bad. I don't see any station being sued for Rush Limbaugh's remarks calling for riots at the Democratic Convention in Denver. Limbaugh said the riots would ensure a Democrat is not elected as president, and his listeners have a responsibility to make sure it happens.

"Riots in Denver, the Democrat Convention would see to it that we don't elect Democrats."

[dana94591]

I hear ya! This is so silly. A teacher and a beautician filed the suit!

[ThePodiumIsMine]

but...but.­..but...Ru­sh!

[k6007]

CNN, whom I despise, should tell China to go Frick itself. Who are they to interfere with OUR ridiculous Free Press, and Free Speech tenets?

[geneven]

Cafferty is clearly a jerk. However, the article's contention that CNN's apology was lukewarm is questionable. Cafferty is not the spokesperson for CNN, he is just a loudmouth. In America, we tolerate loudmouths. CNN does not need to apologize for airing a wide variety of opinions and is not responsible for them.

[grn1]

This is good, really good, it takes our new HATE CRIMES BILL and shoves it back up our own ass. We deserve it for trying to legislate free speech for us against us.

[gcallaghan]

Is either of the two plaintiffs on Tony Snow's payroll? Is this his way of getting Cafferty's time slot?

[Taaj]

Great, Please get Faux Fox off the air or force them to become legitimate journalist again.

[jvarga]

Is the goal of this suit to induce significant levels of Chinese hatred? Cause that's about all I can see it accomplishing.

Oh also, lets counter sue for all the toxic crap they've been importing to our country.

[Gould123]

they want to get nasty I'm sure the amarican people will be glad to all their company's return home and leave millions of unemployed people in China wondering how they are going to feed them all! I agree there are better ways to talk to foreign people and their country's, but here in America it is free speech and no sensure. My answer to those too people liveing in NY City who doesn't like haveing free speech and live in a Free country with out fear of saying something wrong and get throwen in prison should go back to China and live under their laws. If their American citizens than they don't have the right to speak for the people of China! If thier here on a work visa, they are not americans an are not intittled to sue an american and question our laws! Any way you look at it, we can't go around apologying every time a commentary, editor or news staff makes a comment that is offensive to people! Thats insane!

[yambartsumian]

Sorry...but we have free speech in this country.

[circusfifthfloor]

Grumpy Old Men. Jack and Lou Grant. Best ever. Don't change...EVER!!!! From another GOM...CFF