What are the laws protecting the news media from libel?

In North Carolina, the news media is protected from libel by certain laws. Libel is defined as a false statement of fact that is published or broadcast and that harms someone’s reputation. To be libelous, the statement must be false, have been published or broadcast, identify someone, and result in harm to that person’s reputation. In North Carolina, libel can occur when someone publishes a false statement that is intended to harm someone’s reputation. The news media is protected from libel if they can show that they reasonably relied on an authoritative source, or that they exercised reasonable care in verifying the truth of the statement. Another defense is that the statement was true. Since libel requires a false statement, the media cannot be sued for libel if the statement is true. Additionally, the media is protected from libel if the defamed individual is a public figure. This protection applies only if the media can show that they acted reasonably in reporting on or commenting about the public figure. The media is also protected when they are simply repeating the words of someone else. So long as the media did not make or create the statement, it is not liable for libel. Finally, the media is protected when it is covering a matter of public interest. This gives the media the right to report on, investigate, or comment on matters of public interest without fear of libel. In North Carolina, the media is thus protected from libel when they reasonably rely on a source, act with reasonable care to verify the truth of the statement, the statement is true, the defamed person is a public figure, they are repeating the words of someone else, or they are covering a matter of public interest.

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What are the laws protecting the news media from libel?

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