Defamation
Florida Court Dismisses $885 Million Defamation Claim Against The Miami Herald
Scott Ponce, Christine Walz, Kaatje Greenberg and Elizabeth BrownsteinThe court dismissed the complaint with prejudice, finding that "no amendment of the complaint would change the non-defamatory statements into defamatory ones."
Second Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Defamation Claim by “Kai the Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker”
Lynn Oberlander and Sasha DuddingMcGillvary contended that the Rolling Stone article contained four defamatory statements about him. The trial court, and now the Second Circuit, agreed with Rolling Stone that none of the statements at issue were defamatory.
Court Dismisses Defamation Claim by Kash Patel, But Denies Request for Fees Under New York’s Anti-SLAPP Law
Maggie Burreson, Abby Lahvis, and Marc FullerThe court held that Figliuzzi’s statement, a sarcastic quip about Patel’s high-profile social life, was rhetorical hyperbole.
Laura Loomer Loses Defamation Suit Against HBO and Bill Maher
In the summary judgment decision, Judge Moody, Jr. found that no reasonable viewer would understand Maher’s comments to be a statement of fact, that Loomer had failed to present evidence that Maher acted with actual malice, and that Loomer had offered no evidence of damages.
Eleventh Circuit Tosses Roy Moore’s $8.2 Million Damage Award
J. Evans BaileyThe result marks Moore’s second defeat in federal appeals court this decade.
When Celebrity Doctors Aren’t Celebrities: The Public Figure Question in Colker v. Callis
Kylie M. HuffA federal judge in Connecticut has ruled that a defamation action brought by a celebrity doctor associated with WWE founder Vince McMahon may proceed.
Court Dismisses “January 6” Participant’s Defamation Claims Based on Fair Report Privilege, Substantial Truth, and Failure to Identify “John Doe” Reporters
Sara Benson, Todd Hambidge and Robb HarveyA Tennessee federal court recently dismissed a defamation action against Tegna and its Knoxville affiliate, holding that the challenged news reporting was protected by the fair report privilege and, in any event, was substantially true.
The Tribulations and Trial of Afroman
Jack GreinerAn Adams County, Ohio jury recently returned a verdict in favor of Joseph Foreman, aka "Afroman" in a defamation trial filed by several police employed by Adams County.
SLAPPs as a Tool to Silence the Press: How Brazil Is Responding to a Growing Threat
Simone Lahorgue NunesRaising public awareness about SLAPPs – and about the threat they pose to democratic debate – is a crucial first step. Only by acknowledging the problem can Brazil move toward a more robust legal framework capable of safeguarding the right to inform, and to be informed, on matters of public interest.
Texas Pickleball-Tennis Feud Defamation Case to Proceed
Matt KristoffersenA Texas pickleball supporter can proceed with his defamation lawsuit against a homeowner’s association member after she allegedly implied he was a “pervert, pedophile or sexual predator” at a board meeting.