Does the statement at
issue involve a matter of
public concern? (Assume
that all statements about
public figures involve
matters of public concern
No
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Law Defamation
Chart
Yes
is the statement by defendant: (1) Defamatory (i.e does
it tent to adversely affect a person's reputation)? (2) "of
or concerning" the plaintiff (in the view of a reasonable
listener or reader)? and (3) "Published" (i.e. has it been
intentionally or negligently communicated to a third
person)?