SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — The South Dakota Supreme Court
is allowing a $1.2 billion defamation lawsuit to proceed against
television network ABC over its coverage of a meat product that critics
derided as "pink slime."
The decision on Thursday allows the
plaintiffs to potentially depose news anchor Diane Sawyer, two of the
networks correspondents and other defendants.
Dakota Dunes-based
Beef Products Inc. sued the network in 2012 for its coverage of the meat
product the industry calls "lean, finely textured beef." BPI alleges
that the coverage led to plant closures and layoffs because it misled
consumers into believing the product was unsafe.
Attorneys for ABC
in court filings say the network in each of its broadcasts stated the
FDA deemed the product safe to eat. The network didn’t immediately
respond to requests for comment.