It is
possible to write about a person—even in a negative light—without
having to ask their permission. However, if what you say is presented
as fact, you must be able to verify it as the truth. On the other
hand, if it is offered only as an opinion, that is protected by the
First Amendment. Making a statement as fact—that you can’t
prove—may open you up to a libel suit.
Realize
that you can write negatively about a person using a different name,
but if they are readily recognizable from the incident or situation
described, you can still be open to libel charges.
It is
always best to use two criteria for avoiding libel suits. From a
legal standpoint, never write anything for publication that is not
true and verifiable. From an ethical standpoint, always ask yourself
if there is anything to be lost or gained by using their real name.
No comments:
Post a Comment