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Common Law Defamation : Elements
- DEFAMATORY statement IDENTIFYING the π
- PUBLICATION to at least one 3rd-party
- INJURY to reputation
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Common Law Defamation : When is a Statement Defamatory?
When the statement tends to adversely affect π's reputation (esp. commercial reputation)
- Focus: Allegation that affects a putative fact about the π
- Statement of opinion: Would a reasonable listener assume the opinion has a factual basis?
Note: π must be specifically identified and alive at time the statement is made
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Common Law Defamation : Types of Defamatory Statements?
- Libel—written (or via tv or radio broadcast) statement, defamatory on its face
- Libel per quod—statement not defamatory on its face (defamatory impact requires extrinsic evidence)
- Slander per se—closed list of oral statements
- Slander not per se
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Common Law Defamation : Slander Per se Categories
- Adversely reflects on π's business or profession
- Statement that π has committed a crime of "moral turpitude"
- Statement impugning that a woman is unchaste
- Statement that π suffers from a "loathsome" disease
- NY Distinction: 5th category—insinuation of homosexuality
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Common Law Defamation : Published Statement?
∆ must share statement with at least one 3rd-party
Note: Publication need not be deliberate—
- Effective publication can occur through reckless or negligent conduct
- Test: Likelihood that other people will learn about the defamatory statement
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Common Law Defamation : Must π prove Damages?
- Libel—Damages need not be shown (they are presumed), unlessSlander per se—Damages need not be shown (they are presumed)
- Slander not per se—Must prove economic damages, such as loss of job, business, or commercial contracts
NY: Libel per quod—Must prove economic damages, unless statement is per se defamatory
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Common Law Defamation : ∆'s Defenses
- Consent: Express/implied, capacity, scope)
- Truth: Factually accurate
- Absolute or Qualified Privilege: Who (absolute) and when (qualified—strong social interest in encouraging candor: (i) confidential communication to another (ii) concerning a 3rd-party (iii) in which both have a legitimate interest)
Absolute—spouses, government officers engaged in conduct of their official duties
- Qualified—Strong social interest in encouraging candor. (e.g., letters of recommendation).
- 2 Limitations: (1) ∆ reasonably believes that the statement is accurate; AND (2) ∆ must confine himself to matters that are relevant.
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Statements of Public Concern : Additional Elements
- π must prove falsity of the statement, and
- π must prove fault on the part of ∆
- Fault—
- π is a Public Figure—Fault = Intent or recklessness
- π is not a public figure (private)—Fault = Negligence
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