COM 300 Chap 5&6 (Ap Style 5)

Libel

written or permanent defamation

Slander

spoken defamation

Broadcast defamation

is considered libel

To win a libel suit a plaintiff must prove 6 elements:

Defamation, Identification, Publication, Falsity, Injury, and Fault

Defamation

he statement harms reputation

Identification

the statement clearly refers to the plaintiff

Publication

the statement was shared with someone other than the plaintiff

Falsity

the statement is false

Injury

the plaintiff suffered harm (emotional, repetitional, or financial)

Fault

the publisher acted negligently or with actual malice

Public Officials

Elected or government employees with decision-making authority (e.g., senators, police chiefs).

Public Figures

People with major influence or fame.

Fair-Report Privilege

Journalists can safely report what’s said in official proceedings (like court, legislature, or police reports), even if it contains false or defamatory material.

The right to privacy

he ability to sue for invasion of one’s private life—is a relatively new concept in U.S. law (about 130 years old)

4 types of privacy

Intrusion, Publicity to Private Facts, False Light, Appropriation/Right of Publicity

Intrusion

Invading someone’s private space or affairs in a way that would offend a reasonable person. Ex. entering a home, office, or private space without permission.

Publicity to Private Facts

Publicizing private, highly offensive information that is not of public concern.

False Light

Portraying someone misleadingly in a way that would offend a reasonable person, even if not damaging to reputation.

Appropriation/Right of Publicity

Using someone’s name, image, or likeness without consent for commercial benefit.

The First Amendment

protects publishing information, not gathering it.

Reporters can cover public events like

fires, floods, or protests, but police can restrict access for safety reasons.

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

ives the public access to federal government records, except in nine exempt categories (e.g., classified info, personal privacy, trade secrets)

The First Amendment (press freedom) and the Sixth Amendment (fair trial)

can clash

There’s no federal shield law

meaning reporters can still be compelled in federal cases.

Every news outlet

has its own code of ethics to reflect community standards.

Some codes are specific, forbidding clear problems like:

• Freebies (gifts, travel, or perks)

• Junkets (paid trips)

• Conflicts of interest

Plagiarism (copying others’ work) and fabrication (making up facts or quotes)

are serious ethical violations

Always inform sources

when recording interviews to ensure transparency and trust.