COM 250 EXAM 2 STUDY GUIDE
defamation - Answers - reputation that has been injured by a false statement
strict liability - Answers - liability which does not depend on actual negligence or intent
to harm
NY Times v. Sullivan - Answers - NY times publishes advertisement defending MLK
with mistaken claims. Ruled that when a false statement is concerned with a public
figure, you need to prove actual malice.
Actual Malice - Answers - NY Times v. Sullivan Case: knowing falsehood or utter
reckless disregard, applicable to public officials and their official conduct
Curtis Publishing Co v. Butts - Answers - ruled that a public figure has the same
standard of proof for libel as a public official (Under NY Times v. Sullivan)
Gertz v. Robert Welch INC - Answers - ruled that private people do not need to prove
actual malice, must prove that the defamatory statements were actually false and
negligently made by the speaker
constitutional privacy - Answers - constitution limits power of the government to invade
your privacy
statutory privacy - Answers - written law that may create a privacy right
ex: limits on access to documents like credit reports, school grades, etc.
tort privacy - Answers - allows individuals to sue for violations of privacy by private
people (not government)
Griswold v. Connecticut - Answers - state's ban on the use of contraceptives, couple
gets samples at planned parenthood clinic, the law violated the right to marital privacy
Lawrence v. Texas - Answers - state law may not ban sexual relations between same-
sex partners, consenting adults in the privacy of their own home
Frisby v. Schultz - Answers - city ordinance against residential picketing and directed
speech, anti abortion picketing in front of abortion doctors home, situation is content
neutral, narrowly tailored, and has other channels therefore ordinance is legal
4 torts of privacy - Answers - 1. Intrusion
2. False Light
3. Publication of Private Facts
4. Commerical Appropriation
defamation - Answers - reputation that has been injured by a false statement
strict liability - Answers - liability which does not depend on actual negligence or intent
to harm
NY Times v. Sullivan - Answers - NY times publishes advertisement defending MLK
with mistaken claims. Ruled that when a false statement is concerned with a public
figure, you need to prove actual malice.
Actual Malice - Answers - NY Times v. Sullivan Case: knowing falsehood or utter
reckless disregard, applicable to public officials and their official conduct
Curtis Publishing Co v. Butts - Answers - ruled that a public figure has the same
standard of proof for libel as a public official (Under NY Times v. Sullivan)
Gertz v. Robert Welch INC - Answers - ruled that private people do not need to prove
actual malice, must prove that the defamatory statements were actually false and
negligently made by the speaker
constitutional privacy - Answers - constitution limits power of the government to invade
your privacy
statutory privacy - Answers - written law that may create a privacy right
ex: limits on access to documents like credit reports, school grades, etc.
tort privacy - Answers - allows individuals to sue for violations of privacy by private
people (not government)
Griswold v. Connecticut - Answers - state's ban on the use of contraceptives, couple
gets samples at planned parenthood clinic, the law violated the right to marital privacy
Lawrence v. Texas - Answers - state law may not ban sexual relations between same-
sex partners, consenting adults in the privacy of their own home
Frisby v. Schultz - Answers - city ordinance against residential picketing and directed
speech, anti abortion picketing in front of abortion doctors home, situation is content
neutral, narrowly tailored, and has other channels therefore ordinance is legal
4 torts of privacy - Answers - 1. Intrusion
2. False Light
3. Publication of Private Facts
4. Commerical Appropriation
