TV & VIDEO - July 1, 1987

ABC’s John Stossel has struck a blow for journalistic safety by being struck with a blow--and suing the striker. Stossel, a consumer reporter for the ABC-TV newsmagazine “20/20,” received $425,000 in a settlement in New York with David Schults, a wrestler who allegedly boxed his ears while Stossel was doing an expose on wrestling, a lawyer for Stossel said. Stossel allegedly was “struck with an open hand” on both ears by Schults on Dec. 28, 1984, after which the reporter sued Schults and Titan Sports Inc.--which sponsored shows on which the wrestler appeared--for an undetermined amount of money. “I expect that a case such as this will deter such violent acts against the public and reporters,” Kelner said.