Defamation
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.
In Texas, Free-Speech Advocates Gear Up for Another Anti-SLAPP Fight
Laura Prather and Reid PillifantWith big money and political influence still pushing SB 336, free speech advocates expect another bitter fight that could go the full 140 days.
Utah Court Dismisses Defamation Suit Against Newspaper Under Uniform Public Expression Protection Act
Jeffrey J. Hunt, David C. Reymann, and Tammy M. FrisbyA Utah state district court recently dismissed a defamation lawsuit brought against a weekly newspaper in what is believed to be the first application of the state’s new Uniform Public Expression Protection Act (UPEPA) to news reporting.
Second Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Defamation Case Against Newsweek
Cameron Stracher and Sara TesorieroThe Second Circuit has affirmed the dismissal of a defamation claim against Newsweek on substantial truth and fair report grounds.
Sarah Palin’s Second Chance to Try Libel Case Against The New York Times Set for April
Tim TaiThe move comes after a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit threw out a jury verdict and the judge’s own Rule 50 decision for The Times in August, reviving Palin’s case.
Defamation Suit Over Nancy Grace True Crime Show and Podcast Dismissed
Mary Ellen Roy and Elana BeiserConsidering the allegedly defamatory statements as a whole in the context in which they were made, the Court held that they are not defamatory because they are not “of and concerning” the Plaintiffs, are substantially true, and/or are opinion on disclosed facts.