Fair Report & Other Privileges
N.C. Court of Appeals Affirms Dismissal of Libel Suit Against WRAL
Mary Aline FertinThe Court of Appeals of North Carolina affirmed the dismissal of a libel suit against WRAL over its coverage of Crystal Mangum’s murder conviction.
Anti-SLAPP Tactical Considerations in New York State Versus Federal Courts
David S. KorzenikThe court had no difficulty concluding the article was a matter of legitimate public concern, a fair report of the prior proceedings, and published without actual malice. The significance of the decision, however, also lies in its approach to the recovery of legal fees under the New York SLAPP statute.
New Jersey State Court Imposes Sanctions Against Counsel for Pursuing Frivolous Defamation Claims
Elizabeth Seidlin-BernsteinA pair of recent decisions from a New Jersey trial court highlights the state’s strong legal protections for freedom of speech and the press.
Fair Report 50-State Survey
The Fair Report Survey 50-State is a state-by-state guide to the idiosyncrasies of the fair report privilege.
In Praise of the Neutral Report Privilege
George FreemanFor some inexplicable reason, the privilege has not been accepted by most courts.
Delaware Court Upholds Dismissal of Libel Suit by Former Trump Campaign Adviser Against Yahoo News and HuffPost
Jeff GrossmanIn upholding the manner in which Yahoo News reported on aspects of the government’s investigation related to what later came to be known as the “Steele Dossier,” the 4-1 decision represents an affirmation of the legal protections for reporting on government investigations.
Florida Court Applies Fair Report Privilege to Toss Former State Investigator’s Libel Suit Against Local Station
Karen Williams KammerThe court entered final summary judgment in favor of the station and reporter Bob Norman, finding, among other things, that what they had reported was true in all material respects.
Alan Dershowitz’s Libel Suit Against CNN Survives Motion to Dismiss
Amanda LevineJudge Singhal's decision has potentially far-reaching implications for media organizations reporting on issues of public concern.
Eleventh Circuit Decides New York’s Fair Report Privilege Protects Gizmodo Report on Sealed Florida Court Filing
The Eleventh Circuit unanimously affirmed summary judgment for Gizmodo Media Group in a libel suit filed by Trump aide Jason Miller, finding that New York’s fair and true report privilege protected publication of allegations concerning Miller that were filed but under seal in a Florida paternity/custody proceeding.
Second Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Attorney’s “Groping” Libel Suit Against New York Times
Al-Amyn SumarThe Second Circuit has affirmed dismissal of a libel suit against The New York Times brought by a Justice Department official who took issue with a story reporting he had groped a young administrative assistant.