Frank LoMonte Comments on Alleged Defamation of Morgan Freeman by CNN

Frank LoMonte, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Brechner Center for Freedom of Information director, was the quoted in “Does Morgan Freeman Have a Defamation Case Against CNN for Misconduct Story?” published on TheWrap on May 30.

The article focuses on Morgan Freeman’s claim that CNN committed “journalistic malpractice” and defamed him in a story about eight women accusing him of inappropriate behavior.

“A public figure like a movie star is going to have an especially difficult time because they have to prove a high level of recklessness in doing this story,” said LoMonte. “They’re almost going to have to prove it was a purposeful hit job.”

LoMonte explained that First Amendment protections have led to a “purposefully high bar” for public figures to win defamation cases. “The Supreme Court has made it intentionally hard for an internationally famous person to recover damages from a media organization,” he said.

Posted: May 31, 2018
Category: College News
Tagged as: Brechner Center for Freedom of Information, Frank LoMonte