Court Opinion

ID: 9650747
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-23 15:50:52.86981+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:12:25.894077
License: Public Domain

HUXMAN, Circuit Judge
(specially concurring).
I concur in the conclusions of Judge Brat-ton that the admission of those portions of the publications relating to Stokes’ personal appearance constitutes reversible error and requires a reversal of the judgment. I am, however, of the further opinion that all of the publications complained of are qualifiedly privileged. It is true, as stated in Judge Bratton’s opinion, that Stokes was not a public official, that he was not a candidate for office, nor did he hold a managerial position in a public institution. But I do not understand the authorities to hold that such is necessary to invest publications concerning one with a qualified privilege. Stokes had entered the public arena at a time when we were at war. He printed and distributed a large number of publications attacking the President, his cabinet, our national policies as relating to the war effort, the Governor of the State of Utah, and the Senators of that State. A writer or public speaker invites criticism of what he writes or speaks, and the doctrine of qualified privilege applies. 33 Am.Jur. Par. 164; 53 C.J.S., Libel and Slander, § 134, page 217. Appellant did not call Stokes a Nazi. It is true that the inference from what he said about him and his activities and connections was that he belonged to Nazi or Fascist groups. But all appellant *309did was to write about Stokes’ public activities and connections with various groups and movements. Writing about one’s public activities of necessity carries implications of a personal nature. Although his private character is not subject to attack, the personal implications or qualities flowing from one’s public activities or writings are open to such analysis or conclusions as an honest and intelligent man might make. Berg v. Printers’ Ink Pub. Co., D.C., 54 F.Supp. 795.
As stated in Sidis v. F-R Pub. Corp., 2 Cir., 113 F.2d 806, 809, 138 A.L.R. 15,
“At least we would permit limited scrutiny of the ‘private’ life of any person who has achieved, or has had thrust upon him, the questionable and indefinable status of a ‘public figure’.”
One who by his activities, writings or spoken language attempts to influence public opinion in any way is subject to free and honest criticism of his efforts by members of the public. Restatement of Law of Torts, Vol. 3, Par. 610, page 292. The fact that a publication of one’s public activities and connections tends to reflect upon him personally, does not destroy the qualified privilege thereof.1
I would accordingly base the reversal upon the additional ground that the publications were conditionally privileged and that it was error to fail to give the proper instructions relating thereto.

 In addition to the cases cited above, see also Potts v. Dies, 77 U.S.App.D.C. 92, 132 F.2d 734; McLean v. Merriman, 42 S.D. 394, 175 N.W. 878: 33 Am.Jur. Libel and Slander, Par. 176, page 170; Restatement, Law of Torts, Vol. 3, Par. 606, page 278.