Opinion ID: 2321515
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Fair Comment Privilege

Text: Piscatelli argues that the fair comment privilege is inapplicable because Respondents based their comments on purportedly defamatory, unprivileged facts. [4] We disagree. Maryland recognizes that, under the fair comment privilege, [5] [A] newspaper like any member of the community may, without liability, honestly express a fair and reasonable opinion or comment on matters of legitimate public interest. The reason given is that such discussion is in the furtherance of an interest of social importance, and therefore it is held entitled to protection even at the expense of uncompensated harm to the plaintiff's reputation. A.S. Abell Co. v. Kirby, 227 Md. 267, 272, 176 A.2d 340, 342 (1961). Thus, the fair comment privilege is available for opinions or comments regarding matters of legitimate public interest. In Kirby, we discussed the fair comment privilege regarding opinions expressed about a review hearing of a Baltimore police commissioner, inferring that it was a matter of legitimate public interest. 227 Md. at 282-83, 176 A.2d at 348-49. In Kapiloff v. Dunn , the Court of Special Appeals concluded that the performance ratings of high-school principals were also a matter of legitimate public interest. 27 Md.App. 514, 533-34, 343 A.2d 251, 264 (1975). Although Maryland case law has not addressed whether the occurrence or prosecution of crimes, and murder specifically, are matters of legitimate public interest, other courts have. See Gay v. Williams, 486 F.Supp. 12, 16 (D.Alaska 1979) (drug trafficking); Ratner v. Young, 465 F.Supp. 386, 396-97 (D.Vi.1979) (murder); Rouch v. Enquirer & News of Battle Creek, Mich., 427 Mich. 157, 398 N.W.2d 245, 266-68 (1986) (rape). This principle seems obvious. Therefore, the reporting about the murders and criminal trial of the presumed perpetrator at the bottom of this civil litigation are matters of legitimate public interest. Whether a particular publication comes within the purview of this privilege often turns on whether or not it contains misstatements of fact as distinguished from expression of opinion. Kirby, 227 Md. at 273, 176 A.2d at 342. The test for determining whether a published statement is a fact or opinion is, Would an ordinary person, reading the matter complained of, be likely to understand it as an expression of the writer's opinion or as a declaration of an existing fact? Kirby, 227 Md. at 274, 176 A.2d at 343. The fair comment privilege protects an opinion only where `the facts on which it is based are truly stated or privileged or otherwise known either because the facts are of common knowledge or because, though perhaps unknown to a particular recipient of the communication, they are readily accessible to him.' Kirby, 227 Md. at 279-80, 176 A.2d at 346 (quoting 1 Harper and James, The Law of Torts § 5.28 (1954)). Conversely, an opinion based on undisclosed facts, or that permits the inference of an undisclosed factual basis, is not privileged. Kirby, 227 Md. at 274, 176 A.2d at 343. In Kapiloff, the Court of Special Appeals explained further the difference between protected and unprotected opinions under the fair comment privilege: When [commentary on a matter of public interest] is not based upon stated facts or upon facts otherwise known or readily available to the general public, it is treated as a factual statement and possible constitutional immunity is determined on that basis. Where the statements, however, are actual expressions of opinion, based upon stated or readily known facts, their objective truth or falsity depends on the veracity of these underlying facts. Therefore, any determinations with regard to falsity or the presence of actual malice must look to the stated or known facts which form the basis for the opinion.... 27 Md.App. at 533, 343 A.2d at 263-64. Maryland law regarding the types of opinions protected by the fair comment privilege is in accord with the Restatement of Torts (Second), which summarizes succinctly the difference between protected and unprotected opinions for purposes of the fair comment privilege. Derogatory opinions based on false and defamatory or undisclosed facts are not privileged. Kirby, 227 Md. at 272-74, 176 A.2d at 342-44; Kapiloff, 27 Md.App. at 533, 343 A.2d at 263-64; accord Restatement (Second) of Torts § 566 cmt. b & c (1977). These are called mixed opinions. Restatement (Second) of Torts § 566 cmt. b. Derogatory opinions based on non-defamatory facts, true facts, privileged facts, or facts assumed mutually by the opinion-maker and recipient are privileged. Kirby, 227 Md. at 272-74, 176 A.2d at 342-44; Kapiloff, 27 Md.App. at 533, 343 A.2d at 263-64; accord Restatement (Second) of Torts § 566 cmt. b & c. These are labeled simple or pure opinions. Restatement (Second) of Torts § 566 cmt. b. Thus, under Maryland law, the fair comment privilege protects simple opinions from being defamatory, but does not protect mixed opinions. Piscatelli argues in his brief that the Court of Special Appeals applied incorrectly the fair comment privilege because Respondents' expressed opinions were based on the supplemental discovery memorandum and/or Piscatelli's testimony, which he alleges were defamatory. We concluded earlier in this opinion, however, that Respondents' reporting of the memorandum and Piscatelli's trial testimony are privileged as fair reporting. Simple opinions, which are protected by the fair comment privilege, include derogatory opinions based on privileged statements of fact. Kirby, 227 Md. at 279, 176 A.2d at 343 (quoting 1 Harper and James, supra, § 5.28) ([C]riticism is privileged as fair comment only when the facts on which it is based are truly stated or privileged or otherwise known .... (emphasis added)); accord Restatement (Second) of Torts § 566 cmt. c, illus. 5(2). [6] Respondents' articles include privileged reports on the memorandum and Piscatelli's testimony as bases for its opinions, enabling readers to judge for themselves the quality of the opinions. Kirby, 227 Md. at 280, 176 A.2d at 347 (quoting Odgers on Libel and Slander 166 (6th. ed.1929)). `[T]herefore, what would otherwise have been an allegation of fact becomes merely a comment,' or a simple opinion, which the fair comment privilege declaws of its defamatory expression. Id. (quoting Odgers on Libel and Slander, supra, at 166). The Circuit Court and the Court of Special Appeals were correct that summary judgment was a proper disposition of the fair comment privilege defense.