The media is no stranger to peddling false accusations just to land a coveted scoop. These accusations against innocent persons have at times led to the destruction of their lives. Here are 10 people whose lives were completely ruined by the media.

1. Nedo Soltani

This was the panacea for every ailment, injury, mental illness, or infection. The doctor simply cut open a vein with a thin blade, and let the patient bleed into a pan. Better yet, leeches could be attached to the patient to suck blood. This practice was also used by monks to stay in good health, even when perfectly healthy.

2. John Stoll

Several people were convicted of child molestation in the infamous Kern County trials. One of them was John Stoll, who served 20 years before being cleared of involvement. The media falsely peddled stories of satanic rituals and child abuse. Stoll was later released and awarded compensation.

3. John Profumo

Mr. Profumo was a former British secretary of war and a decorated veteran. An affair with a woman led to his resignation from government. This was after it emerged that the woman had relations with a Soviet spy. The media fed sensational stories about him, after fallout between the media and the government. He was later cleared by an inquiry, though his life was destroyed in the process.

4. Robert Murat

This British resident who lived in Portugal was the subject of a media smear campaign. He was accused of the disappearance of a young girl, Magdalene McCann. A journalist convinced the police to investigate him, while the media fabricated stories of his involvement. He was later cleared and awarded damages by a court. His life never recovered.

5. Andrei Sakharov

The father of the Russian nuclear bomb, he became the subject of a media smear campaign in the 70’s. This was after he campaigned for human rights, and criticized the policies of the Soviet government. The media branded him a traitor and enemy of the state. He was detained for seven years before being released. He became the first Russian to win a Nobel Peace Prize.

6. Steven Hatfill

This Native American biologist was wrongfully accused by the media of sending anthrax laced letters to members of congress. This was in the wake of the September 11th attacks. Shoddy journalism by the media was later exposed, when Steven Hatfill was cleared of any involvement. He was awarded substantial damages for the trouble.

7. Maria Dolores Vasquez

50 year old Maria Vasquez was wrongfully convicted for the murder of a 19 year old girl. She had a relationship with the girl’s mother, and false media stories linked her to the killing. She was later cleared after the real killer was arrested for committing a second murder. DNA evidence proved she was innocent.

8. Thomas Kossman

The Australian media wrongfully accused this successful surgeon of medical malpractice. He faced three years of lawsuits and investigations that ruined his life. He was found innocent, and successfully sued the media for damages.

9. Giro Girolimoni

This Italian man was wrongfully portrayed, and incessantly hounded by the media as the killer of young girls in the 20’s. He was later found innocent, but his life was permanently destroyed. His name was forever associated with pedophilia.

10. Diego P.V

The Spanish press wrongfully smeared the reputation of this man by accusing him of the murder of his girlfriend’s daughter. It later emerged that the 3 year old girl had died accidentally after a fall. The media had destroyed his life by then.