Veteran Journalist/Author Critiques Law & Media; Says Some Practices Undermine The Public Interest, Trust, Democracy

WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich., Sept. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A new book, Truths about the Truth Seekers: The Media and the Law, by Michigan veteran journalist and author Berl Falbaum, takes aim at some practices in the law and the media which, he says, undermine the public interest while deteriorating trust and credibility in the two.

"I chose to examine these two disciplines because they have a greater impact on our lives and democracy than any others," said Falbaum, who spent 65 years in the media and as an author. 

In the section on the media, he discusses: The failings of the Society of Professional Journalists' ethics code; the lack of mechanisms to correct errors; anonymous sources, the problems with the 1964 landmark case New York Times Co. v. Sullivan; and other issues.

In the section of the law, among the issues he covers are: misconduct by prosecutors and defense attorneys; perjury and the fact that it is very rarely punished; the need to abolish capital punishment; and how lawyer-client confidentiality, at times, has cost the innocent their lives.

"The point is that in just about every poll, the media and the law are rated poorly as to their credibility and trustworthiness," said Falbaum.

"I believe both disciplines need to conduct some self-examination and adopt much-needed changes."

The work as received several endorsements. Among them are the following:

Dan Greenberg, of the renowned think tank, the Cato Institute, called the work a "captivating book about truth…"

Barbara McQuade, University of Michigan law professor, author of the bestseller, Attack from Within: How Misinformation is Sabotaging America, former U.S. attorney, Eastern District of Michigan, said Truths about the Truth Seekers is a "superb new book."

Dave Van Zandt, editor, Media Bias/Fact Check, said the book "is a must read for anyone who values truth, transparency, and democracy."

Kenneth M. Mogill, adjunct law professor at Detroit's Wayne State University, said the book is "insightful, provocative and timely."

Brian Cox, editor, Detroit Legal News, said "…every journalist and attorney should heed Falbaum's message." 

Falbaum was a general assignment and political reporter for 10 years at The Detroit News before accepting a position as administrative aide to Michigan's lieutenant governor.

Then he served as a speechwriter and media spokesperson for three major corporations before launching his own PR company, Falbaum and Associates, Inc. 

He taught law of the press, media ethics and news writing, for 45 years as an adjunct in the journalism department of Detroit's Wayne State University. He also taught journalism as an adjunct for about 15 years at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. This is his 13^th book. 

One of his books, A Matter or Precedents, a novel, dealt with media ethics as did a play he wrote, No Comment, which was produced by a community theater.

Softcover and ebooks are available at Amazon Prime. Softcover books can also be ordered at [email protected].

Contact:
SD Books, LLC
248-855-5383
[email protected]

SOURCE Berl Falbaum