18) Defamation Flashcards

1
Q

defamation: checklist

A

1) is it defamatory?
2) pleading issues
3) publication
4) libel or slander
5) common law privileges
6) 1A issues

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2
Q

defamation: def

A

published false defamatory material concerning P, that caused reputational damage

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3
Q

defamatory material: def

A

defamatory if:

1) subjects P to scorn/ridicule/contempt, OR
2) deters 3rd persons from dealing w her

either way must cause reputational harm

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4
Q

defamatory material: exceptions

A

1) hyperbole
2) pure opinion

neither is defamatory

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5
Q

defamatory material: exceptions: pure opinion: ojo!

A

if provably true or false it’s not an opinion, even if couched in opinion language, so this dn apply

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6
Q

defamatory material: in whose opinion?

A

must be defamatory in the eyes of a repuable group (not: you defamed me to the nazis)

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7
Q

pleading problems – issue

A

were the right facts alleged?

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8
Q

pleading problems – list

A

1) P not named in language
2) can’t defame a large group
3) st not defamatory on its face

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9
Q

PP: P not named: how to fix

A

allege that it is of or concerning her

still ok if it’s a small group of ppl (3 female torts professors) – all can sue

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10
Q

PP: large group: how to fix

A

can’t fix! result: claim fails

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11
Q

PP: st not defamatory on its face: how to fix

A

allege other facts (like the person whose wedding you’re announcing is already married)

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12
Q

publication: def

A

someone other than P read, saw, or heard the defamation

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13
Q

publication: elements

A

1) someone other than P read, saw, or heard the defamation AND
2) D intended that 3rd person would come in contact with it, OR was negligent that 3rd person would come into contact w it

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14
Q

republication rule

A

anyone who repeats the defamation is also a proper D, even if they attribute it

republication can also increase damages owed by orig D

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15
Q

type of defamation: kinds

A

1) libel

2) slander

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16
Q

type of defamation: result

A

affects what ko damages are available

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17
Q

libel: def

A

defamatory message in a relatively permanent form

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18
Q

libel: def: permanent form: exs

A

(written, sound recording, video, picture, sculpture, etc)

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19
Q

libel: damages rule

A

reputational harm is PRESUMED and damages do not have to be proved

20
Q

slander: def

A

defamation is not preserved in permanent form (often spoken)

21
Q

slander: damages rule

A

in order to recover, P must prove special damages (specific economic losses that flow from defamation)

OR
slander per se

22
Q

slander per se: result

A

an exception to the nl slander damages rule –> spl damages not required, can proceed on claim of reputaitonal harm

23
Q

slander per se: kinds

A

1) suggesting P not fit for their profession/role
2) imputing to P the commission of a crime involving moral turpitude or punishable by imprisonment/death
3) alleging P has current loathsome disease (incurable, persisted over time)
4) lack of chastity in a woman (maybe broader now)

24
Q

common law privileges: kinds

A

1) truth
2) absolute privilege
3) qualified privilege

25
truth privilege: def now
P generally must prove falsity as part of case | maybe unless P is private P and matter is of private concern
26
truth privilege: old CL rule
falsity was presumed and truth was substantial defense
27
absolute privilege: result
D may not be held liable for the otherwise defamatory message as MOL!
28
absolute privileges: lists
1) coms btwn spouses 2) sts made on floor of legislature 3) sts btwn high ranking gvt officials 4) sts made in conduct of judicial proceedings
29
absolute privilege: limits
privilege ends if someone REPEATS the defamatory st in non-privileged situation
30
qualified privilege: result
gives greater leeway to speech, but D can lose it
31
qualified privilege: how D loses
acts out of malice, knows accusation is false, OR is reckless about truth or falsity of st OR excessive publication
32
qualified privilege: situations
1) communication nec. to advance D's own legit interests 2) matter of interest to the recipient or 3rd person 3) communicated re a matter of public interest, to one empowered to protect that interest
33
constitutional issues: qs to consider
1) status of P 2) subject matter of st 3) damages P seeks 4) status of D
34
status of D: kinds
1) media | 2) nonmedia
35
status of P: kinds
1) public official 2) public figure 3) private figure
36
subject of st: kinds
1) public concern | 2) private concern
37
special rule for public officials
P must prove by clear and convincing evidence (higher burden than preponderance) that actual malice
38
actual malice: def
recklessly disregarded truth or falsity (actually entertained serious doubts)
39
public figures: rule
same as public officials -- must prove actual malice by C+C
40
public figure: kinds
1) all-purpose | 2) limited
41
all-purpose public figure: def
household name
42
limited-purpose public figure: def
person who injects themselves into a particular controversy, hoping to affect the outcome
43
private figure + public concern: rule
usually negligence for PROVEN damages of reputational harm presumed or punitive damages require actual malice
44
1A concerns started in
1964, so no old common law
45
public or private concern? consider
1) form 2) content 3) context
46
private figure + private concern: rule
dnn to prove actual malice