Chapter 5 Defamation

Index

Section 5.1 Preface
Section 5.2 Distinction Between Libel and Slander
Section 5.3 Elements of Proof in a Defamation Claim
Section 5.4 Publication—Element One
Section 5.5 Republication and Repetition
Section 5.6 Single Publication Rule
Section 5.7 Intracorporate Publication
Section 5.8 Defamatory Statement—Element Two
Section 5.9 Rules of Construction
Section 5.10 Examples of Defamatory Publications
Section 5.11 Imputation of Crime
Section 5.12 Misconduct or Inability in Business
Section 5.13 Lack of Creditworthiness
Section 5.14 Sexual Misconduct
Section 5.15 Ridicule and Name Calling
Section 5.16 Per Se vs. Per Quod
Section 5.17 Falsity—Element Three
Section 5.18 Identification of the Plaintiff—Element Four
Section 5.19 Group Libel
Section 5.20 Group Subset Libel
Section 5.21 Fault—Element Five
Section 5.22 Plaintiff’s Status
Section 5.23 Public Officials
Section 5.24 Public Figures
Section 5.25 Pervasive Public Figures
Section 5.26 Limited Purpose Public Figures
Section 5.27 Missouri Cases
Section 5.28 Applicable Standard of Fault
Section 5.29 Description of "Actual Malice"
Section 5.30 Actual Malice Is a Subjective Determination
Section 5.31 Mere Failure to Investigate Is Insufficient
Section 5.32 Scienter Is Required
Section 5.33 Constructive Knowledge Is Not Sufficient
Section 5.34 Any Falsification Must Be Material
Section 5.35 Falsity Alone Can Never Be Equated With Actual Malice
Section 5.36 There Is No Actual Malice When a Publisher Reasonably Relies on a Source
Section 5.37 A Public Official/Figure’s Denial Does Not Create Actual Malice
Section 5.38 Refusal to Retract Is Not Actual Malice
Section 5.39 Hostility Toward the Plaintiff Is Not Actual Malice
Section 5.40 Burden of Proving "Actual Malice"
Section 5.41 Appellate Review of "Actual Malice"
Section 5.42 Media vs. Non-Media Defendants
Section 5.43 Damages—Element Six
Section 5.44 Actual
Section 5.45 Special
Section 5.46 Presumed
Section 5.47 Punitive
Section 5.48 Consent
Section 5.49 Truth
Section 5.50 Absolute Privilege
Section 5.51 Qualified Privilege
Section 5.52 Republication Privileges
Section 5.53 Fair Reports Privilege
Section 5.54 Neutral Reportage
Section 5.55 Wire Service Privilege
Section 5.56 Libel-Proof" Plaintiff Defense
Section 5.57 Privileges for Fair Comment and Opinion
Section 5.58 Fair Comment
Section 5.59 Constitutional Privilege for Opinion
Section 5.60 Statutory Privileges
Section 5.61 Constitutional Privilege
Section 5.62 Statute of Limitations
Section 5.63 Retraction
Section 5.64 In Haec Verba
Section 5.65 Issues of Law vs. Issues of Fact
Section 5.66 Jurisdiction and Venue
Section 5.67 Discovery—Reporter’s Shield Privilege
Section 5.68 No Right of Survival
Section 5.69 Defamation in an Employment Context
Section 5.70 Respondeat Superior
Section 5.71 Jury Instructions
Section 5.72 Judicial Review of Jury Verdict
Section 5.73 Prior Restraint
Section 5.74 Anti-SLAPP" Law—Expedited Proceedings to Terminate Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation
Section 5.75 Review of Denials of Motions to Dismiss and Summary Judgment by Extraordinary Writ
Section 5.76 Communications Decency Act
Section 5.77 Protection for Anonymous Internet Postings