Frank LoMonte, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Brechner Center for Freedom of Information director, was the quoted in “Does Morgan Freeman Have a Defamation Case Against CNN for Misconduct Story?” published on TheWrap on May 30.

The article focuses on Morgan Freeman’s claim that CNN committed “journalistic malpractice” and defamed him in a story about eight women accusing him of inappropriate behavior.

“A public figure like a movie star is going to have an especially difficult time because they have to prove a high level of recklessness in doing this story,” said LoMonte. “They’re almost going to have to prove it was a purposeful hit job.”

LoMonte explained that First Amendment protections have led to a “purposefully high bar” for public figures to win defamation cases. “The Supreme Court has made it intentionally hard for an internationally famous person to recover damages from a media organization,” he said.

Posted: May 31, 2018
Category: Brechner News
Tagged as: Brechner Center for Freedom of Information, CNN, Frank LoMonte