These mainstream reports often use intermediary sources or commentary for reference and emphasize the controversy surrounding the original story rather than its factual merits.

It's bare assertion and has no factual or explanatory merit.

The present discussion, is not, however, concerned with the factual merits of these explanations, but only with the shape that they take.

This referral expresses no view on the factual or legal merit, or lack thereof, of Ms. Jones's claims.

From its earliest opinions, the Court expressed a determination to avoid formalism and decide cases according to the factual merits.

In the syllabus for the Court, the Judge again urged trial and appellate counsel to focus on the factual merits of the case.

"The application is nothing more than grandstanding, wholly devoid of factual or legal merit," the statement said.

Whatever the factual merits of the charge, the lawsuit itself is a measure of the ecological movement's growing audacity.

I have already settled the Paula Jones case, even after it was dismissed as being completely without legal and factual merit.

Based on that release, Chevron contended that "this lawsuit lacks legal or factual merit."