J385: Communication Law Home Page


Private Facts--Common Law

Plaintiff must prove:

  • Publication (publicity)
    • Evidence that the publication has been distributed to a number of people.
  • Private Facts
    • Defined in law as private information
    • Not generally shared with others
    • Not in a public record
    • Obtained through use of illegal or unethical means.
  • The publication of the private fact is highly offensive to a reasonable person
  • The information is not of legitimate public concern or interest

 

 

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School of Journalism and Communication