Legal Question in Constitutional Law in District of Columbia
Libel or general opinion.
I wrote a letter to an editor complimenting a publication for it's originlaity. For example, let's say it was News Week. Keeep in mind,that I myself, have a publication ezine on the web much in the spirit of News Week. I want to know if the following statement is libel:
''Isn't anybody original anymore? Thankfully Newsweek is, and always was original. It's obvious that Time Magazine, Life Magazine, US News and World Report just copied Newsweek.''
The editor thanked me and wants to publish an edited version? Could the other magazines come after me? This just my general opinion that they copied 'the idea' not physically stole any specific pictures or articles from them. Isn't my opinion covered by my 1st Amendment rights?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Libel or general opinion.
Yes, I believe you're correct in your assessment
that your statements would be merely expressions of opinion and would not implicate the law of libel in any way.
The editor who you say wants to publish these statements in an edited form, undoubtedly, has a bevy lawyers at his beck and call.(Or surely, if
not a bevy, at least one or two.) What do they say?