The first example of libel I found was a case involving Elon Musk and famous cave diver Vernon Unsworth. According to David Ingram from NBC News, Musk sent out multiple tweets that were damaging to Unsworth’s reputation. The first tweet was published out of anger calling Unsworth a “pedo” (pedophile). The following tweets accusing Unsworth of visiting Pattaya Beach to marry a 12-year-old bride. All of these accusations were found to be untrue. This is libel because Unsworth’s reputation was being torn down, Musk has a large audience, and the tweets were sent out in malice. Musk was sued for $75,000 in compensatory damages.
The second example of libel is a case between a doctor and patient. The patient wrote a review writing “very poor and crooked business practice” (CBS News, 2018). The patient claims that she was charged for an ultrasound and a new patient visit when she had been there previously. The patient’s defense is that she was being truthful. This case may not be libelous if the patient has proof that she is telling the truth. However, it is more difficult to defend because she made such a broad generalization.
The third example of libel is Rebel Wilson’s case against Bauer Media. Wilson claimed that Bauer Media had published multiple articles calling her a “serial liar” and other statements damaging to her reputation. Wilson was successful in her case winning $3.66 million dollars. Bauer Media’s defense was that Wilson failed to show how the articles and her financial losses correlated (Izadi, E. 2017). However, I believe this to be a libelous case because they could not prove that their information was true or they had no malice.
The first example of slander is Saudi Abdulrahman Alharbi’s case against Glenn Beck and TheBlaze radio network. Glenn Beck was accusing Alharbi of being connected to the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013. He was reporting that he was the “money man” behind the bombing (Glenn Beck…case). This case is slanderous because Beck is accusing Alharbi of a crime he did not commit. Beck did not have any confirmed facts that Alharbi was connected to the bombing.
The second example of slander is a case between Joe Francis and and Steve Wynn. Francis claims that Wynn sent him life threatening emails threatening to kill him. He then went on Good Morning America and read what the emails said. Wynn then took him to court for slander. Wynn says the emails are false. Francis was found guilty when his confessed his witness had not actually seen the emails (Castellano, A.). This is slander because Wynn’s reputation was being damaged and Francis made an effort to go on television with false evidence.
My last example of slander is the case between the Sandy Hook families and Alex Jones. Jones had made claims on his radio and online show that the Sandy Hook shooting was set up by the government. He also reported false details about the shooting (Sandy Hook families… explained). Jones’s defense is that he is exercising free speech. However, I believe this is slander because he had no proof behind his statements which were reckless.
Works Cited
Ingram, D. (n.d.). Elon Musk sued by British cave diver for defamation. Retrieved February 03, 2019, from https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/elon-musk-sued-british-cave-diver-defamation-n910336
CBS News. (2018, May 30). Doctor sues patient for $1 million for posting negative reviews online. Retrieved February 03, 2019, from https://www.cbsnews.com/news/doctor-sues-patient-for-1-million-for-posting-negative-reviews-online/
Izadi, E. (2017, September 13). 'It's important to stand up to bullies': Rebel Wilson wins record amount in defamation case. Retrieved February 03, 2019, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2017/09/13/its-important-to-stand-up-to-bullies-rebel-wilson-wins-record-amount-in-defamation-case/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.9a13c865e566
Reuters. (2016, August 11). Glenn Beck loses round in Boston Marathon bombing defamation case. Retrieved February 03, 2019, from https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/aug/11/glenn-beck-loses-round-in-boston-marathon-bombing-defamation-case
Castellano, A. (2012, September 11). Joe Francis Hit With $20M in Punitive Damages in Steve Wynn Slander Case. Retrieved February 03, 2019, from https://abcnews.go.com/US/steve-wynn-awarded-20-million-slander-suit-joe/story?id=17206604
Sandy Hook families v Alex Jones: Defamation case explained. (2018, August 31). Retrieved February 03, 2019, from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-45358890
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