Woman Who Claims She Was Abducted By Aliens In 1989 Sues Netflix Over Docuseries
What Happened?
Dr. Karla Turner, a licensed psychologist, is suing Netflix for defamation over its docuseries “Alien Abduction: The Karla Turner Story.” Turner claims that the series falsely portrays her as mentally ill and that it has caused her emotional distress and financial losses.
In the docuseries, Turner alleges that she was abducted by aliens in 1989 and that she has been living with the effects of the abduction ever since. The series features interviews with Turner and her family and friends, who discuss her experiences and her mental health.
Turner claims that the series inaccurately portrays her experiences and that it has caused her to be ridiculed and ostracized. She also claims that the series has caused her to lose clients and income.
What Are the Allegations in the Lawsuit?
In her lawsuit, Turner alleges that Netflix defamed her by falsely portraying her as mentally ill. She also alleges that Netflix breached its contract with her by failing to obtain her consent to use her name and likeness in the series.
Turner is seeking damages for defamation and breach of contract. She is also seeking an injunction to prevent Netflix from continuing to distribute the series.
What is Netflix's Response?
Netflix has not yet filed a response to the lawsuit. However, the company has said that it stands by the docuseries and that it believes that it is a fair and accurate portrayal of Turner's experiences.
What is the Legal Precedent for Such Cases?
The Supreme Court has ruled that public figures must prove that a defamatory statement was made with "actual malice" in order to recover damages.
In the case of Turner, she is a public figure because she has appeared on television and radio shows to discuss her experiences.
This means that she will have to prove that Netflix made the defamatory statements with "actual malice" in order to recover damages.
If Turner is successful in her lawsuit, it could set a precedent for other public figures who claim that they have been defamed by media companies.
What is the Potential Impact of the Lawsuit?
The lawsuit could have a significant impact on the way that media companies portray public figures. If Turner is successful, it could make media companies more hesitant to produce content that is critical of public figures.
The lawsuit could also have a chilling effect on free speech. If public figures are afraid of being sued for defamation, they may be less likely to speak out on controversial issues.
