What is a public figure and how does it affect a defamation claim?

A public figure in Oklahoma is someone who has voluntarily injected their persona into a public debate. This means that the individual has sought out public attention or willingly and actively participates in an issue that affects the public. Public figures in Oklahoma can be government officials, celebrities, athletes, or anyone else who is widely known and has thrust themselves into the public eye. When it comes to defamation law, a person who is classified as a public figure in Oklahoma will have a more difficult time winning a defamation claim than someone who is not a public figure. This is because public figures in Oklahoma have an elevated burden of proof, meaning they must prove an additional element of damages in order to win a defamation claim. This is known as “actual malice”, which is defined as the plaintiff proving that the defendant acted with knowledge of falsity or reckless disregard for the truth. Public figures must prove that the false statement was made with malice in order to win a defamation claim. In contrast, an individual who is not a public figure in Oklahoma only needs to prove negligence, which is defined as the defendant failing to conduct research to determine the truth behind the statement. As such, it is more difficult for public figures in Oklahoma to win defamation claims than those who are not public figures.

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What is a public figure and how does it affect a defamation claim?

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