7.3.5 Falsity – Public Official|Figure Bears Burden of Proving Falsity.

• Jurisdiction: Arizona

7.3.5 Falsity – Public Official/Figure Bears Burden of Proving Falsity.

A public official who sues over a statement that touches on an issue of public concern must prove that the statement is false.²⁹ This is also true when any plaintiff sues a media defendant on an issue of public concern.³⁰ In cases brought by private figure plaintiffs over statements involving issues of private concern, a defendant must prove the truth of the statement as a defense, unless the statement is otherwise privileged.³¹

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