"Reporting," says Philip Wittenberg, "is at best a dangerous job." No reporter himself, but a New York lawyer who frequently represents editors & publishers, Wittenberg came to this conclusion after four years' study of 4,000 libel suits. His Dangerous Words (Columbia University; $5), published this week, may keep some journalists from plunging over the libelous precipice, but is more likely to give them insomnia.
Most newsmen should know that to call a lawyer a "shyster," an author a "plagiarist," or a doctor a "quack" is usually libelous. But it may surprise them to learn that praising a doctor may be libelous....