Court strikes down 19th century law allowing libel suits over truthful but malicious claims
Article Abstract:
The Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled in Shaari v. Harvard Student Agencies, Inc. that a state law permitting libel cases over truthful but malicious statements was unconstitutional, and that the First Amendment provided absolute protection for truthful statements concerning matters of public interest. The factual situation concerned reviews of an Israeli youth hostel, and the court ruled that these reviews were protected from libel suits as they combined accurate statements of fact and expressions of opinion.
Publication Name: News Media & the Law
Subject: Literature/writing
ISSN: 0149-0737
Year: 1998
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
'Clear and convincing' evidence not needed to survive dismissal
Article Abstract:
A Texas Supreme Court ruling in Huckabee v. Time Warner Entertainment Co. that plaintiffs suing media defendants for libel must only successfuly raise a factual issue to survive a pre-trial motion for summary judgment is discussed, thus giving journalists the burden of proof at the pre-trial stage.
Publication Name: News Media & the Law
Subject: Literature/writing
ISSN: 0149-0737
Year: 2000
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Police officers treated as public officials for purposes of libel suits
Article Abstract:
A Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruling in Rotkiewicz v. Sadowsky classifying police officers who bring defamation suits as public officials who therefore have to prove actual malice to prevail is discussed.
Publication Name: News Media & the Law
Subject: Literature/writing
ISSN: 0149-0737
Year: 2000
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: FAA data offers stories for every newsroom in U.S.. Doing investigations after a hurricane: Deluge of dollars
- Abstracts: Reporter starts seven-month jail term over news scene incident. Journalist's conviction over removal of jet fabric upheld
- Abstracts: Waco secrecy damaged public trust, report finds. Shakur's lyrics attacking 'gangsta rap' critic are protected as opinion
- Abstracts: Two courts find newsworthiness outweighs privacy interests. Public school employee personnel records must be disclosed