Dare To Defame: Patrick Swayze (2)
Unfortunately, the Enquirer’s report that Patrick Swayze has cancer is true…sorta. Although Swayze has confirmed that he was diagnosed with cancer, his physician released this statement, denying that he has only five weeks to live: “Patrick has a very limited amount of disease and he appears to be responding well to treatment.”
Popsquire’s perspective…
- Because truth is always a defense to defamation, the Enquirer is off the hook in terms of reporting that Swayze has cancer.
- Although the statement about Swayze’s prognosis is in dispute, the Enquirer likely is in the clear on that one, too. To constitute defamation, a statement must allege “facts,” whereas a phrase about how long someone has to live likely would be considered an “opinion,” thereby providing the defense.
