Opinion
Arizona Supreme Court Finds Radio Host’s Statements Protected as Opinion, Political Speech
Michael J. LambertThe Arizona Supreme Court has issued a ringing endorsement for the safeguards provided to opinions and political speech in a defamation case involving a local radio talk show host.
Satanic Temple Lawsuit Against Newsweek Magazine Largely Dismissed
Cameron Stracher and Sara TesorieroThe Southern District of New York held that twenty-one of the twenty-two statements were not defamatory as a matter of law.
Texas Supreme Court Reaffirms Protection for Opinion
Samuel W. CalkinsThe Court held unanimously that the statements were opinions in the context of the national abortion debate.
Defamation Suit Against Daily Beast Dismissed
Andrew M. PauwelsThis case should serve as a reminder to media defense attorneys of the many arguments available at the initial motion phase, even in states like Michigan where there is no anti-SLAPP law.
Texas Appeals Court SLAPPs Lawsuit Against Community Newspaper
Samuel CalkinsThe term “right wing propaganda” in the context of the article was a constitutionally protected opinion and a statutorily privileged fair comment on a matter of public concern.
On Leakers and Lakers: Reflections on Two Recent MLRC Zoom Sessions
George FreemanMLRC's executive director reflects on tthe recent SCOTUS leak, and a retraction demand sent by Jerry West to the producers of HBO's "Winning Time."
Second Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Defamation Suit Against Researcher
Dori Hanswirth and Sam CallahanThe decision reaffirms the overriding importance of context under New York defamation law, particularly for statements made amid ongoing public controversies.
What the Zuck! Court Grants USA Today’s Motion to Dismiss Social Media Personality’s Complaint
Michael Pusateri and Michael J. GrygielJudge Karsznitz — who presided over a two-hour oral argument on the motion to dismiss — was guided by longstanding precedent holding that the First Amendment is implicated whenever a plaintiff takes aim at speech addressing matters of legitimate public concern, no matter how her claims are styled.
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.
New York Times Wins Dismissal of Libel Suit from Trump Campaign
Alexandra SettelmayerThe Trump Campaign, alleging “millions of dollars” in damages, brought the suit over a 2019 Op-Ed by Max Frankel which concerned interactions between Russians and associates of Mr. Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign.