Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in Illinois

Can newspaper articles be used as evidence?

I am filing a Title VI discrimination claim against Northern Illinois University under guidelines of Office for Civil Rights. As part of my suit, I am attempting to show a racially hostile educational environment. Can I thus use campus articles as exhibits to depict a hostile environment. I felt that constructive (not actual) notice can be derived from these articles to spark inquiries into alleged activities, events, or injustices- especially if there are no official policies or intake grievance procedures for resolving ''said'' issues. If not, then where. Thanks


Asked on 4/23/02, 7:40 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Charles Aspinwall Charles S. Aspinwall, J.D., LLC

Re: Can newspaper articles be used as evidence?

News articles by themselves are hearsay and not generally admissible in litigation under the rules of evidence. Those who wrote the articles may be competent witnesses to the facts you are attempting to prove, however, so contacting them may be helpful. An admission by someone connected with the university that the articles were reviewed or considered could constitute notice of racial improprieties.

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Answered on 4/24/02, 7:58 am


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