Re: college beat
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Passing a copy + paste of statements done on a forum is in NO way defamation. Summary "accusations" of insurance fraud, MAYBE, but a transcript or copy of any of the crap on BBV would fall under "qualified privilege". I know everyone loves a good suing in the states, but proving the feasor didn't have an honest belief + caused significant dmgs would be very, very hard.
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That does not apply here. Qualified privelege must serve the PUBLIC good (i.e. Politicians), and can't be motivated by malice.
Qualified privilege" may be available to the journalist as a defense in circumstances where it is considered important that the facts be known in the public interest; an example would be public meetings, local government documents, and information relating to public bodies such as the police and fire departments. Qualified privilege has the same effect as absolute privilege, though it is subject to more complicated conditions.
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