re: This stupid Ole Miss / Rebel rags lawsuit

quote:

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In Mississippi, "public figures have a harder time proving slander or libel because they’re required — by law — to meet the “actual malice” proof standard, whereas “private citizens” only must prove negligence on the part of the defendant."

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That's not just in MS. I would say that NYT Co v Sullivan Supreme court decision about public figures and press would be used as part of an argument on public figures suing for defamation in any state.

I agree that in the RR case negligence is likely the standard, but to successfully win on Defamation, I still maintain RR is going to have to PROVE the statements were knowingly false. The burden is on plaintiff and it won't be an easy one to meet.