A reporter does not like a candidate for president and he publishes a made up story about the candidate having an affair. Did the reporter commit a tort?
A) Yes, because the reporter acted with actual malice.
B) No, because the candidate for president is a public figure.
C) No, because the story was made up and unlikely to be believed.
D) No, because having an affair would not harm the reputation of a presidential candidate.
E) No, because politicians cannot be defamed.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The reporter committed a tort of defamation by publishing a false story with actual malice, which means knowing the story was false or acting with reckless disregard for the truth. Public figures, like presidential candidates, can still be defamed, especially when false statements are made with actual malice.

A Reporter Does Not Like a Candidate for President and He