In an opinion column published in wallstreetbuzz, a columnist wrote, "James Jackson, CEO of Blain Investments, now posting an $8 billion write-down, has robbed shareholders blind through his accounting slights of hand. Jackson insists that he has scruples. I don't know about that but if he does have scruples you can bet they belong to somebody else." The columnist: a. has committed the tort of libel. b. is protected from defamation liability under the opinion/analysis quasi-privilege. c. cannot be protected from defamation liability by the opinion/analysis privilege if the statement was published. d. none of the above

Question

Melina Quinn

Business

9 March, 06:57

In an opinion column published in wallstreetbuzz, a columnist wrote, "James Jackson, CEO of Blain Investments, now posting an $8 billion write-down, has robbed shareholders blind through his accounting slights of hand. Jackson insists that he has scruples. I don't know about that but if he does have scruples you can bet they belong to somebody else." The columnist: a. has committed the tort of libel. b. is protected from defamation liability under the opinion/analysis quasi-privilege. c. cannot be protected from defamation liability by the opinion/analysis privilege if the statement was published. d. none of the above

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Warren Guzman · Answer 1

b. is protected from defamation liability under the opinion/analysis quasi-privilege.

Explanation:

Opinion/analysis privilege gives freedom of speech under the United States First Amendment.

The author is not making an exact statement that James Jackson has robbed a particular amount, using a particular means.

So his statements can be seen as his own opinion based on the $8 billion write-down that Jackson posted.