Opinion ID: 2567337
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: All-purpose and Limited-purpose Public Figures

Text: ¶ 22 The Court recognized in Gertz that one might be deemed a public figure on either of two alternative bases. 418 U.S. at 351, 94 S.Ct. 2997. First, an individual may achieve such pervasive fame or notoriety that he becomes a public figure for all purposes and in all contexts. Id. These all-purpose public figures occupy positions of such persuasive power and influence that they may hold sway on any issue with which they choose to become involved. Id. at 345, 94 S.Ct. 2997; see Waldbaum v. Fairchild Publ'ns, Inc., 627 F.2d 1287, 1294 n. 15 (D.C.Cir.1980) (noting that truly famous figures may be able to transfer their recognition and influence from one field to another and that [a] person's power to capitalize on his general fame by lending his name to products, candidates, and causes indicates the broad influence he has). Second, and [m]ore commonly, individuals who have thrust themselves to the forefront of particular public controversies in order to influence the resolution of the issues involved become public figures for [the] limited range of issues associated with those controversies. [3] Gertz, 418 U.S. at 345, 351, 94 S.Ct. 2997. The overarching characteristic of either type of public figureand the underlying rationale for the denominationis that such a person has assume[d] special prominence in the resolution of public questions. Id. at 351, 94 S.Ct. 2997. ¶ 23 Here, the district court ruled Wayment was a public figure but did not specify which type of public figure it deemed her to be. Clear Channel appears to suggest that Wayment, through her broadcast reporting activities and her public appearances at charitable events, has achieved a level of general fame in the Salt Lake community sufficient to qualify her for all-purpose public figure status. [4] Alternatively, Clear Channel argues that Wayment should at least be considered a limited-purpose public figure for purposes of her defamation suit. We address each of these possibilities in turn.