Why are tabloid magazines allowed to print what they do about celebrities?
A.: The law has been crafted to provide greater freedom for individuals to comment on and criticize those people in the public eye. Such people are classified as “public figures” and they are not given as much protection from defamation as are private citizens. Unless public figures are able to prove that a tabloid magazine acted with “actual malice”-knowingly printing false information, or acting recklessly as to whether it was false or not, public figures cannot recover damages for defamation. Q.: Does this actual malice requirement mean I can criticize public officials or criticize the way our government is run? A.: Absolutely. Under the Constitution, you are free to voice your opinions about any of these matters. If a public official tries to sue you, he or she will have to prove that you acted with “actual malice” in making the statement. You also cannot be sued for defamation for statements you make in court, statements you make to a local bar association concerning misconduct of
