• bjornsno@lemm.ee
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    38
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    1 year ago

    Lol lawsuits for naming elected officials in a news article? Sounds like America.

      • TWeaK@lemm.ee
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        17
        ·
        1 year ago

        Defamation lawsuits are notoriously expensive and difficult to win. Meanwhile, truth is a valid defense.

        Name and shame, let them dig their hole deeper.

    • letsgocrazy@lemm.ee
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      3
      arrow-down
      14
      ·
      1 year ago

      It’s not naming them, it’s repeating a claim, which, if not proven would be defamation.

      Are black politicians immune from lying?

      • abraxas@lemmy.ml
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        1
        ·
        1 year ago

        Your understanding of US law is slightly off.

        Unlike many countries, the burden of proof for defamation is on the accuser. You must prove at some bar (based on factors like celebrity status) that the other party spoke false information, and then in most cases you must also prove ill intent. You can’t usually win a defamation suit against anti-vaxers (for example) because they genuinely believe they’re saving people by spreading the misinformation they think is true.

        We’re a VERY tough country for that kind of suit, and the First Amendment is cited as the reason.