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Libel

This section covers the state law governing libel suits. The standards governing such suits are influenced by many things, including whether the subject of a story is a public figure or public official. This also covers the defenses to libel suits, including the "fair report" privilege, the opinion defense and anti-SLAPP laws.

    Digital Journalist's Legal Guide
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    Everything online journalists need to protect their legal rights. This free resource culls from all Reporters Committee resources and includes exclusive content on digital media law issues.

    Libel

     

    Topic Search Results

    Libel In The News

    Judge dismisses libel suit against Spitzer, Slate
    10/02/2012
    A New York federal judge said in a strong and firm opinion released this week that an article...
    Minnesota appeals court overturns jury award against blogger
    08/21/2012
    John Hoff did not lie. Because of that, the Minneapolis blogger will not be held liable for the...
    View All Libel News

    Digital Journalist's Legal Guide

    Anti-SLAPP laws
    Short for strategic lawsuits against public participation, SLAPPs have become an all-too-common tool for intimidating and silencing critics...
    Immunity for reader comments under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act
    The enactment fifteen years ago of a seminal piece of federal legislation intended to protect children from harmful material on the...
    Digital Journalist's Legal Guide

    From the Magazine

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    The News Media and The Law, Summer 2012
    Anti-SLAPP laws on trial
    A recent libel suit gave birth to a controversial judgment involving the District of Columbia Anti-SLAPP Act, which protects...
    Shielding anonymous commenters
    Photo courtesy of Paul Levy Paul Alan Levy is a lawyer at Public Citizen in Washington, D.C., which filed a friend-of-the-court...

    Briefs & Comments

    • Obsidian Finance Group, LLC, et al., v. Crystal Cox
      October 17, 2012

      Kevin Padrick and Obsidian Finance Group, LLC sued blogger Crystal Cox, claiming that Cox libeled them through a series of postings on her Internet blog. The trial court jury ruled in favor of Padrick and Obsidian and returned a $2.5 million verdict in their favor. Cox moved for a new trial, which was denied. The decision in the trial court below turned on whether she was a journalist and whether her speech involved a matter of public concern – both of which affects the standard of liability under Oregon law.

    View All Libel Briefs
    Related searches:
    public digital whether obsidian freedom
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