A refreshers course on libel
SOME people have this notion that unless pinpointed, a nameless subject in a sensitive item isn’t deemed pejorative.
They think that by running it as a blind item, the writer or author is exonerated from a possible libel case.
Libel, as taught in college, has four elements that all need to be satisfied. One of these requires a third party who can identify the anonymous subject based on the description and the details surrounding the item.
The past weeks had been problematic and unnerving for Karla Estrada angered by several blind items published in tabloids. Vignettes is simply clueless where Karla’s emotional outburst is coming from: is it the reports on the way she shabbily treats her co-host Melai Contiveros on ABS-CBN’s “Magandang Buhay?” Or her stage-motherly ways to son Daniel Padilla? Or her brash behavior maybe?
Because of this, Karla has reportedly threatened to press libel charges against the reporters stemming from the blind items.
Talent manager-columnist-online host Lolit Solis, however, is less than perturbed citing Karla could have suffered worse publicity during her budding years in showbiz. Karla, formerly screen named Lim, was a member of the late German Moreno’s “That’s Entertainment.”
Among the blind items that came out recalled how Karla was “just a starlet” before and that if it wasn’t for her now-popular son Daniel Padilla (with character actor Rommel Padilla), she wouldn’t have been able to restart a career at all.
Those on Karla’s side, however, are quick to say, no matter how the “Queen Mother” started out in the biz, she was never involved in an infamous scandal like other celebs.
A reporter, however, was quick to defend Karla against Solis’ tirades: “Let showbiz history be the judge. At no point did Karla get involved in an infamous scandal. Need I say which?”
GUESS WHO? Many showbiz insiders couldn’t help but wonder how this enigmatic actress (EA) could afford to buy a brand-new car when she’s been in between jobs for the longest time.
A major film project, for one, which was supposed to reunite the EA with her exboyfriend-actor, had to be set aside by the producer who hoped she’d lose weight. But not only did the EA’s weight problem prove to be a hindrance, it also had something to do with her psychological unpreparedness.
Back to her purchase of the car, nasty rumors have it that some rich benefactor made it possible. The EA’s allegedly newest catch happens to be a lesbian TV executive who doesn’t mind hitting it off with mothers as long as the latter are (still) pretty, and yes, willing enough.
This showbiz mom-host (SMH) always has a way of involving herself in topics being tackled on her show which she does with two other celebrities.
“She can be so narcissistic that no other young actor has the greatest career achievements except her son. Walanangibang mag al in gkun diana k ni ya, ana k ni ya at anak niya!” a source told.
A supposed live show, the SMH has the TV fare taped so that she can have certain portions edited out should these come out embarrassing on her part, “She hates foul-ups, ak alamo na man kung sin ong perpektong host!”