Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Virginia
libel
I am a pastor of a local church. During a local Religious TV broadcast a Colleague of the host called in live to the program and quoted me (using my title and church name) as saying in a telephone conversation that the caller �was a damn troublemaker� when I actually said, �he was a continuous troublemaker�. I made no comments about the host or his program. His misquote seems to be intentional and meant to discredit or defame my character as a minister. Is this libel and how should I respond? Our church broadcast it�s services on the same station.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: libel
If your case for defamation (slander is oral, libel written) hinges on the distinction between
"damn troublemaker" and "continuous troublemaker", I would say that in all probability you don't have much of a case(for alleged slander).
Peace, Brother.