Defamation

Question 1

Defamation (common law)

Answer 1

DAPUD

1. Defamatory (P need not prove falsity, but D can use truth as defense);
2. About plaintiff
3. Published and Understood by a third party (strict liability)
4. causing Damages.

Question 2

Defamation Damages

Answer 2

1. General - non-pecuniary, emotinal, humiliation, loss of friends - presumed at common law with prima facie case;
2. special - pecuniary, lost income, monetary loss; sometimes required, and P must plead and prove.
3. Punitive (wanton and willful).

Question 2

Libel

Answer 2

1. seen, written, photo
2. Presumed damages (don’t have to prove special)
3. Libel per se - on its face
4. Libel per quod - additional evidence needed to establish defamatory.

Question 3

Public official or public figure

Answer 3

FAC
1. P must prove falsity and actual malice by C&C (D knew or reckless);
2. Public official - government affairs
3. Public figure - widely known
4. Limited public figure - injected into public controversy for limited issues
5. Private Citizen, Public Concern (PCPC) - negligence + required (otherwise SL/CL standard).

Question 4

Damages - public official or public figure

Answer 4

1. Actual malice establishes general liability;
2. Presumed general damages;
3. Punitive when intentional, malicious, outrageous, aggravated beyond mere negligence.

Question 5

Damages - PCPC

Answer 5

NAPAPu
1. Negligence+ to recover actual damages;
2. Presumed with actual malice;
3. Punitive with actual malice and common law malice.

Question 6

Standards of culpability

Answer 6

1. PO/PF = actual malice, presumed general, punitive with CL malice;
2. PC/PC = negligence for actual damages, presumed for actual malice, punitive with actual malice + common law malice.

Question 7

Requirements of proving truth

Answer 7

1. CL = P shows defamatory, D can defend with truth;
2. 1a = P must prove falsity if PO/PF or PC/PC, but CL applies when PC/Priv Concern.

Question 8

Availability of damages

Answer 8

1. PO/PF - actual malice establishes liability, presumed if general, punitive if aggravated;
2. PC/PC = negligence to recover actual, presumed with actual malice, punitive with actual malice and common law malice.