Actor and producer Justin Baldoni has initiated legal action against The New York Times amid allegations of misconduct and media misrepresentation.
Baldoni is pursuing $250 million in damages in a substantial legal battle, citing libel and other charges against the newspaper, People reported.
Baldoni and his collaborators, including his production company, Wayfarer Studios, and members of his PR team, filed the lawsuit on December 31.
They claim that a news piece published by the Times on December 21, titled “'We Can Bury Anyone’: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine," damaged their reputations. The article accused them of organizing a smear campaign against actress Blake Lively.
Baldoni's legal complaint, which stretches to 87 pages, strongly emphasizes the alleged distortion of facts by The New York Times.
Notably, it criticizes the newspaper for selectively using and possibly altering communications to convey a misleading narrative.
Moreover, the complaint describes these methodologies as an intentional attempt to tarnish his image unjustly.
Meanwhile, this legal challenge arrives parallel to another lawsuit marshaled by Blake Lively against Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios on similar grounds of misconduct and retaliation, thereby marking a significant escalation in their intertwined legal disputes.
Furthermore, Lively’s suit, also filed in the Southern District of New York on the same day as Baldoni’s, accuses him of sexual harassment, including displaying inappropriate images and forcibly adding unwanted intimate scenes in projects.
Bryan Freedman, attorney for Justin Baldoni, has been vocally critical of The New York Times' actions and motivations.
"In this vicious smear campaign fully orchestrated by Blake Lively and her team, the New York Times cowered to the wants and whims of two powerful 'untouchable' Hollywood elites," Freedman stated. His claim suggests that the publication abandoned journalistic integrity to support a damaging public relations narrative favoring Lively.
Freedman further contends that the alleged smear was propelled by a need to boost Lively's image amidst online criticism. According to him, the Times provided an outlet for a story predicated on falsities and omissions, skewed to vilify Baldoni and his team.
The plaintiffs argue that the real motive was ignored and their perspectives were unfairly omitted, leading to a one-sided story with grave implications for their public and professional lives.
In defense of their reporting, The New York Times spokesperson emphasized the rigorous effort behind their story, based on an extensive review of original documents and communications, purportedly quoted accurately in their coverage. "The role of an independent news organization is to follow the facts where they lead. Our story was meticulously and responsibly reported," the spokesperson upheld.
On the other side, Lively’s legal representation pointed out the seriousness of the allegations against Baldoni and his associates.
They highlighted ongoing retaliation against Lively after her complaints, which prompted legal action. "Ms. Lively’s decision to speak out has resulted in further retaliation and attacks... Now, the defendants will answer for their conduct in federal court," Lively’s lawyer declared.
The complex legal situation unfolds as both parties stand firm in their positions, drawing attention to issues of media ethics, celebrity, and the legal entanglements that follow allegations of misconduct in Hollywood.
With claims and counterclaims seeking to uncover the intricacies of interactions and intents, the resolution to these disputes will likely unfold in a very public arena.
Both legal battles could set precedents concerning media representation and accountability in cases involving notable public figures.
