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-Great Cultural Revolution

Media silent as award in libel case filed by celebrity scientist Michael Mann is lowered to $5,000

2025-03-08

[JustTheNews] Arguing against their own interests: While legacy media celebrated the $1 million punitive libel award against conservative blogger Mark Steyn as a "victory" in protecting climate scientists from "attacks," they've so far ignored the decision to reduce the award to $5,000.

By Kevin Killough

A Washington, D.C. district Judge Tuesday reduced the punitive damages award granted to celebrity climate scientist Dr. Michael Mann in a defamation lawsuit against Rand Simberg, an analyst at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, and National Review blogger Mark Steyn. In February 2024, a D.C. jury had awarded Mann a single dollar in compensatory damages from Steyn but added $1 million in punitive damages. Judge Alfred Irving lowered the amount to $5,000.

The reduction in award — called "remittitur" — comes less than two months after Irving ordered Mann to pay the National Review Inc. more than $500,000 in the publication’s lawsuit against Mann over the same case. The publication succeeded in having the case dismissed under D.C.'s "Anti-SLAPP law" that provides for attorneys fees to a successful libel defendant in a matter of public concern.

The D.C. jury’s $1 million award was widely reported in many legacy media outlets, most of whom protest defamation awards against journalists. Yet, there’s been little coverage of the ruling against Mann in the either National Review’s lawsuit or the reduction of the award even though they may benefit from rulings such as this.

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Posted by:badanov

#1 So, lemme see if I get this right. The much-vaunted Dr. Mann sued for defaming his hockey stick graph and was awarded a dollar plus $5000. In return. he has to pay $500,000 attorneys fees to the defendants he accused?

This stated in 2012, by the way. WIll there be further appeals?

Posted by: Bobby 2025-03-08 09:42

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