Former professional wrestler, Hulk Hogan has been awarded a total sum of $115 million in damages from a case filed against gossip news website, Gawker for publishing the ex-wrestler’s sex tape.
The Florida Jury reached its verdict after Hulk’s legal team argued against the invasion of privacy adding that the video was not newsworthy.
The case between the ex-wrestler and the New York based gossip website has brought about much deliberation since its start as it set a major match between Celebrity’s privacy and the freedom of press.
The secretly recorded video which came up in 2012 on the gossip news website showed Hulk having a go at his friend’s wife.
The Attorney representing Gawker in the case reminded the Jury before its decision that the concept of freedom of press was most important to uphold in the case as the case was not centered on the distasteful nature or the moral backgrounds of the video posted.
Hogan’s Lawyer, David Houston, after the verdict has been delivered said; “This is not only his victory today, but also anyone else who’s been victimised by tabloid journalism,”
However, there is likely a possibility that Gawker might appeal the verdict as the gossip news website before the delivery of the final verdict had hinted that an appeal was likely.
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