Defamation & Privacy
Defamation is the action of hurting an individual's reputation. It is split into two areas called libel and slander. Libel is false defamation that is expressed in writing, print, pictures, or signs, that intend to hurt a person's reputation and expose them to public hatred and ridicule. Slander is spoken defamatory statements, such as claiming someone is a racist, rapist, or murderer. The Hustler Magazine, Inc v. Falwell case in 1988 is a great example of defamation of an individual's reputation as Jerry Falwell sued Hustler's magazine ad campaign for libel, invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. In this case, Hustler Magazine issued a parody of Falwell in an advertisement that resembled an actual ad campaign but claimed Falwell had a drunken incestuous relationship with his mother in an outhouse. A jury verdict granted Falwell $150,000 in damages for his emotional distress claims. Privacy is important in entertainment, media,...