COMM 168 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Actual Malice
Document Summary
Laws intended to assist free flow of information. Often called: right to know laws, open records laws. Apply to documents held by or generated by: government, public institutions. Also commonly known as open meetings laws. Prohibit government bodies holding: deliberations , official action behind closed doors. Exemptions usually for personnel matters and contracts, lawsuits. Protects journalists from being compelled to reveal sources. 49 states and dc: but not federal government. Intent is not to protect journalists per se, but: to protect free flow of information to the public. Any intentional false communication, either written or spoken, that harms a person"s reputation; decreases the respect, regard, or confidence in which a person is held; or induces disparaging, hostile, or disagreeable opinions or feelings against a person. Injured party must prove: false and untrue, negligent, causes harm. Public figures and politicians must prove: knowingly false, reckless disregard for the truth, actual malice.
