'Coal King' Is Suing John Oliver, Time Warner, and HBO

[DEAD7]

Robert E. Murray, CEO of one of the largest coal mining companies in the US, is suing John Oliver, HBO, and Time Warner for defamation (alternative source) over a comedic report on the status of the coal industry in John Oliver's "Last Week Tonight". The report began with the decline of the coal mining industry, Trump's promises to revive it, and the plight of the workers involved, but was also highly critical of the business practices and safety record of Murray Energy Corporation and Robert Murray's leadership of the company. When the company was contacted about the piece before airing they responded with a cease and desist letter and threatened to sue. John Oliver continued with the segment anyway, saying "I didn't really plan for so much of this piece to be about you, but you kinda forced my hand on that one."

John Oliver, a giant squirrel and a defamation lawsuit by a coal industry titan

 

[radio rahiem]

John Oliver straight
Probably won't go anywhere. I'm sure he got the ok from the brass before airing the piece anyway.

 

[ORDER_66]

 

[ineedsleep212]

Robert E. Murray, CEO of one of the largest coal mining companies in the US, is suing John Oliver, HBO, and Time Warner for defamation (alternative source) over a comedic report on the status of the coal industry in John Oliver's "Last Week Tonight". The report began with the decline of the coal mining industry, Trump's promises to revive it, and the plight of the workers involved, but was also highly critical of the business practices and safety record of Murray Energy Corporation and Robert Murray's leadership of the company. When the company was contacted about the piece before airing they responded with a cease and desist letter and threatened to sue. John Oliver continued with the segment anyway, saying "I didn't really plan for so much of this piece to be about you, but you kinda forced my hand on that one."

John Oliver, a giant squirrel and a defamation lawsuit by a coal industry titan

Them facts hurt.

 

[Prince.Skeletor]

John Oliver is a piece of shyt
Trust me hes establishment

 

[MAKAVELI25]

John Oliver straight
Probably won't go anywhere. I'm sure he got the ok from the brass before airing the piece anyway.

Them facts hurt.

If you were watching the segment carefully, Oliver tried to act like he didn't give a fukk but he clearly stuck to facts as much as possible. He pretty much expected for this to happen so everything he said was a hard fact and/or independently corroborated.

Obviously I don't need to tell the erudites in HL that truth is an affirmative defense to defamation. I strongly doubt such suit would even survive a demurrer (motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim).