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Are University Professors considered "Public Personalities" (defamation)

Asked over 2 years ago - Los Angeles, CA

Are University Professors considered "Public Personalities" for the purposes of writing about their actions and viewpoints in a Generally Distributed Newspaper that has a subscription base and is readily available to the public? Would it be defamation if the article was less than favorable?

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Attorney answers (2)

Pamela Koslyn

Reputation Level 20

Answered over 2 years ago. Business Attorney in Los Angeles, CA.

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They might be "public," or quasi-public, depending on how big the school is and how well known and how outspoken the professor is.

Defamation doesn't mean unfavorable, it means provably false. There are plenty of statements that are unfavorable but truthful and not defamatory.

Disclaimer: Please note that this answer does not constitute legal advice, and should not be relied on, since each state has different laws, each situation is fact specific, and it is impossible to evaluate a legal problem without a comprehensive consultation and review of all the facts and documents at issue. This answer does not create an attorney-client relationship.

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Kenneth Lewis Swenson

Reputation Level 15

Answered over 2 years ago. Litigation Lawyer in Yuba City, CA.

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A professor may be a limited purpose public figure depending on the facts. If the professor is a public figure, he or she would have to prove actual malice to prevail on a defamation claim. Actual malice means that the publication of the defamatory statement was made with knowlegde of its falsity or with reckless disregard to its truth.

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