Which of the following statements is true about defenses to defamation?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When the plaintiff is a public figure, they must prove the defendant made the defamatory statement with actual malice- with knowledge that it was false or with reckless disregard for the truth. This is a higher standard of proof than for private individuals. The other statements are false. A person with absolute privilege has complete immunity from a defamation suit, even if the statement is false. Conditional privilege protects a defendant against false statements as long as they were made in good faith and for a legitimate purpose. Politicians, like everyone else, can be subject to conditional privilege.

Which of the Following Statements Is True About Defenses to Defamation