|
|
| (5 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown) |
| Line 1: |
Line 1: |
| − | libel ->
| |
| | | | |
| − | 8================================================================D ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ [[User:72.26.64.186|72.26.64.186]] indie
| |
| − |
| |
| − | === Who is a public figure or public official? ===
| |
| − |
| |
| − | A public official, according to the Supreme Court, is someone who has a substantial amount of control over governmental affairs. A public figure is either a celebrity whose name has become a household word or a person who has voluntarily stepped into a role of leadership in a particular controversy.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | In the case of ''New York Times Company v. Sullivan'', 376 U.S. 254 (1964), the Supreme Court held that in order for a public figure/official to prove libel, they must prove malicious intent. Malice is the idea that whoever published the libelous statement did so knowingly and intentionally or was reckless in fact-checking before publication.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | But for private citizens - that is everyone who is not a public figure/official - they need only prove a reporter's negligence to prove libel.
| |
