Question

In a defamation case, if the plaintiff is a public figure, then the plaintiff must prove which of the following?
A. Plaintiff must prove that the defendant's conduct was extreme and outrageous.
B. The standard elements of defamation and negligence.
C. There is a very lenient standard for public figures. The plaintiff only must prove the statement was defamatory and that it was false.
D. The standard elements of defamation and actual malice.

Answer 1

Option D is correct.

Given that the plaintiff is a public figure. the same has to prove that the defamation is done with an intention of defaming and the statement with a malice. Under such a case, there is an attempt to have a legal claim that involves a deliberate intention to cause injury to the reputation of a person which is therefore caused by a false statement of fact. Hence, the plaintiff will be required to prove that the defendant has acted with actual malice if the plaintiff is a public figure.