The Difference Between Defamation and False Light — Two Distinct Legal Claims That Are Often Confused
People who have been portrayed inaccurately or harmfully in public often assume defamation is the only legal claim available to them. In reality, U.S. law recognizes a related but distinct tort called false light — one that covers situations where defamation does not apply but a person's reputation or dignity has still been damaged by misleading portrayals. Understanding the difference between the two matters enormously when assessing legal options.
What Defamation Covers
Defamation is a false statement of fact — made to a third party, published without authorization — that causes harm to a person's reputation. It comes in two forms: libel (written or recorded statements) and slander (spoken statements).
For a defamation claim to succeed, the plaintiff must typically prove that the st...