News

Judge hears arguments in BPI-ABC case

Oral arguments on whether Beef Product Inc.’s (BPI) $1.2 billion defamation lawsuit against ABC News, news anchor Diane Sawyer and others should proceed to trial were delivered Tuesday before South Dakota Circuit Judge Cheryle Gering.

BPI’s attorney argued that ABC News unfairly disparaged BPI’s lean finely textured beef product by calling it “pink slime”, in a way that was intentional and sustained for several weeks beginning in March 2012.

The attorney for ABC News denied that the news reports were inaccurate or biased and said the case should be dismissed due to First Amendment considerations. 

It’s now up to Gering to determine if the case will be dismissed or will go before a jury.  She did not indicate when that ruling would be issued.