Description
When working in communications and media, it is important to find a balance between the protection of individual rights and freedoms to access and report information. “To deal with the tension between the possibility of defaming individuals and the importance of reporting the news and information in a timely manner, courts have developed a number of defenses which are often called ‘privileges’ by lawyers” (“Defamation Privileges and Defenses, para.3).
Review these privileges and defenses at
Then research how these privileges and defenses are applied in your state. (Defamation laws by state are easily searched via Google, to get you started include:
Discuss the following in the forum:
1. How defamation is defined by your state.
2. What privileges and defenses are recognized in your state?
3. How do these privileges and defenses impact freedom in society?
4. How does the privilege of free expression discussed by our textbook correspond to the rights and duties of media professionals?
5. How the physical location of the communication or expression factor into issues of defamation?
