For years, Harrison Legal Group has informed media creators about the legal risks of using copyrighted clips, songs, images, and broadcasts without permission. The issue became central enough to inspire my book, Playing the Clip: The Definitive Digital Media Creator’s Guide to Fair Use (TALKERS Books, 2026). The premise was straightforward: modern media runs on […]
Creators, Commentators, or Publishers: Liability Remains the Same
The rise of independent, talk show-style political commentary on YouTube has created a new class of media actors who do not see themselves as broadcasters, journalists, or publishers. They see themselves as creators. That distinction is real in terms of identity, tone, and platform. It is not real where it matters most: liability. The difference […]
Reckless Disregard in the Age of AI: What Verification Now Requires
AI is now embedded in the modern newsroom. Not as a headline, not as a novelty, but as infrastructure. It drafts outlines, summarizes complex reporting, surfaces background details, and accelerates prep for live conversations. For media creators operating under relentless deadlines, that efficiency is not theoretical. It is practical and daily. That reality raises a […]
If the Bot Lies, Who Pays?
A reporter recently asked a clean question with sharp edges: “Who is responsible when an AI defames someone?” It sounds futuristic. It isn’t. It’s a standard defamation analysis dressed in new technology. The most publicized early test involved radio host Mark Walters, who sued OpenAI after ChatGPT falsely stated he had been accused of embezzlement. […]
Navigating the Deepfake Dilemma in the Age of AI Impersonation
The Problem Is No Longer Spotting a Joke. The Problem Is Spotting Reality Every seasoned broadcaster or media creator has a radar for nonsense. You have spent years vetting sources, confirming facts, and throwing out anything that feels unreliable. The complication now is that artificial intelligence can wrap unreliable content in a polished package that […]
When AI Fools the Host – Mistake missed opportunity or legal minefield
Charlie Kirk’s tragic assassination shook the talk radio world. Emotions were raw, and broadcasters across the spectrum tried to capture that moment for their audiences. Charles Heller of KVOI in Tucson shared in these pages yesterday (9/16) how he, in that haze of grief, played what he thought were tribute songs by Ed Sheeran and […]
When One Clip Cuts Two Ways: How Copyright and Defamation Risks Collide
A borrowed clip can raise two different questions: may you use the material, and does the way you present it communicate a false factual claim about someone? Permission to copy does not settle the second question. A fair-use defense addresses copyright, not every issue in a publication. Smith v. Summit: A Dispute About Takedown Claims […]
The Soundbite Trap: How Editing in Radio and Podcasting Creates Legal Risk
Editing makes an interview listenable. It can also change what an audience believes a guest said. For radio hosts, podcasters, and video producers, the useful question is whether the finished segment preserves the substance of the exchange. When an Edit Changes Meaning Removing repetition is different from removing a qualification that reverses a speaker’s point. […]
Neutraliars: The Platforms That Edit Like Publishers but Hide Behind Neutrality
In the golden age of broadcasting, the rules were clear. If you edited the message, you owned the consequences. That was the tradeoff for editorial control. But today’s digital platforms – YouTube, X, TikTok, Instagram – have rewritten that deal. Broadcasters and those who operate within the FCC regulatory framework are paying the price. These […]
Is That Even Legal? Talk Radio in the Age of Deepfake Voices: Where Fair Use Ends and the Law Steps In
In early 2024, voters in New Hampshire got strange robocalls. The voice sounded just like President Joe Biden, telling people not to vote in the primary. But it wasn’t him. It was an AI clone of his voice – sent out to confuse voters. The calls were meant to mislead, not entertain. The response was […]