Defamation
The Illinois Anti-SLAPP Statute: An Autopsy and Hope for the Future
Gregory R. NaronThe Illinois Supreme Court’s nullifying interpretations of the CPA have exposed Illinois journalists and news outlets to intimidating SLAPP litigation and have done a disservice to its citizens. It is long past time for a new beginning.
Texas Court Dismisses Former Nigerian Ambassador’s Defamation Claim Against News Website
Barclay ProctorThe Court dismissed the entire action without prejudice, finding it was not within its power to consider the Defendants' other alleged bases for dismissal once it found that it lacked jurisdiction.
Connecticut Supreme Court Holds Calling Someone a “White Supremacist” Is Not Defamatory
Alexa T. Millinger and Rose Athena CollinsIn an ever-increasingly polarized climate, Murphy offers some guidance as to when inflammatory language may be legally actionable.
Wisconsin Court Dismisses Suit Against News Organizations Over Political Ad
Anna KaulThe decision delivered a strong victory for early dismissal of suits involving protected speech – in a state without an anti-SLAPP law.
Nevada Supreme Court Rules that Declaratory Relief Claims Subject to Anti-SLAPP Statute
Matthew S.L. CateThe decision reaffirms and further clarifies its prior holding that the anti-SLAPP law is not limited “to only certain claims for relief.” And it reverses a trial court that expressed concern that granting the anti-SLAPP motion—thereby triggering the law’s mandatory fee-shifting provision—would “punish” a police union that has sued the Review-Journal for publishing lawfully obtained…
Former Northwestern Baseball Coach’s Defamation Claim Dismissed with Prejudice
Julia DacyThe Tribune argued that the Illinois innocent construction rule required dismissal of all claims because the statements describing Foster’s coaching style as tough or demanding did not necessarily call into question his integrity or ability to do his job.
Defamation Lawsuit against Baby Reindeer Survives Motion to Dismiss
Rachel OhThe court held that plaintiff, Scottish law graduate Fiona Harvey, sufficiently pled that the series was “of and concerning” her and published with actual malice. Key to the court’s ruling was an opening title card stating “this is a true story” which it found outweighed a disclaimer at the end of each episode that the…
Court Dismisses Implied Defamation Claims Brought by Former Principal in New York Philharmonic
Kate Bolger and Mary GoetzThe opinion from the Southern District of New York found that neither a longform article nor statements made by its author on a podcast intended to imply defamatory statements about the plaintiff.
Fox News SLAPPs Defamation Suit, Wins Attorney Fees in District Court
Matt KristoffersenA former Hunter Biden business partner faced a double loss in the Southern District of New York late last year. Anthony Bobulinski’s $30 million defamation lawsuit against Fox News’s Jessica Tarlov, filed after the co-host of “The Five” said that a Trump Super PAC paid his legal fees, couldn’t survive a motion to dismiss under…
Ohio Enacts Anti-SLAPP Law
Kevin T. ShookFor years, the absence of an Anti-SLAPP law left Ohio news outlets vulnerable to lawsuits bankrolled by powerful interests seeking to suppress truthful reporting. The state's new law aims to level the playing field.