Cases where people took legal action against UM

[Jon]

Ex. Donovan Jacobs in the Doyle Wheeler segment. I don't have a direct source, but I've seen in discussions/UM wiki that he took legal action against UM which caused them to pull the segment (even though he sat for an interview). And we know the producers have said they have a legal dept. which advised them to pull certain segments.

Are there more examples from UM cases?

More recent true crimes shows/documentaries definitely take extra care to add text like "this person released a statement via their attorney that they adamantly deny the accusations...etc. etc."

[1990 UM fan]

Donovan Jacobs was my first thought before I opened this thread.

Unsolved Mysteries recorded and completed a segment on missing Houston, TX woman Sharon Davis, which was scheduled to air in the spring of 2002, but her estranged husband Ron Davis Sr sent Unsolved Mysteries an angry letter, threatening legal action if the segment was shown on television, so it remains unaired. You can read about her case here: https://charleyproject.org/case/shar...hKDtcmqBAtX3Bw

[WishfulDreamer]

Janet O'Regan's search for her bio father allegedly caused his family to threaten legal action. For obvious reasons, the segment was never shown again and no reunion was filmed. I'll always wonder if she ever got to meet with her father.

https://unsolvedmysteries.fandom.com...anet_O%27Regan

[MediaHoarder]

Originally Posted by Jon

Ex. Donovan Jacobs in the Doyle Wheeler segment. I don't have a direct source, but I've seen in discussions/UM wiki that he took legal action against UM which caused them to pull the segment (even though he sat for an interview). And we know the producers have said they have a legal dept. which advised them to pull certain segments.

Are there more examples from UM cases?

More recent true crimes shows/documentaries definitely take extra care to add text like "this person released a statement via their attorney that they adamantly deny the accusations...etc. etc."

I am not aware of any other examples.

As far as newer documentaries including a "this person released a statement via their attorney that they adamantly deny the accusations...etc. etc." that really isn't the big difference, UM often included such denials as well. And including one does not prevent someone from suing.

A bigger factor for documentaries today that didn't exist in the 80's and 90's is the Streisand effect and the internet. In the 80's you could threaten legal action and get something removed, today you can still do that but it runs the risk of attracting more attention than doing nothing at all.