MIAMI — WPLG-Channel 10‘s obsession with sex offenders is biting it where it hurts.
The ABC affiliate is getting sued for defamation over its use of video of a man in promos for a 2013 news series about clusters of sexual offenders in zip code 33138, which includes Miami Shores and El Portal.
Miami resident Wilfredo Batista says in a lawsuit recently filed in a Miami-Dade court he has no idea how his photos ended up being used by billionaire Warren Buffett‘s station, and never gave the ABC affiliate permission to use it.
More importantly: He’s not a sexual offender, but his face flashing on the thousands of TV screens gave viewers the idea he is one, he claims.
We’re told Batista was simply parking his car in Miami Shores when he noticed a Local 10 cameraman filming him. The use of the footage on the air was reported to him by family members.
WPLG’s response: Batista was not identified by name in the 15-second promo, and the news station doesn’t need Batista’s permission to use a photo obtained in public while gathering news.
Check out the story promoted with Batista’s face:
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