Brief Fact Summary. A credit reporting agency erroneously reported the bankruptcy of a company to its lenders.
Synopsis of Rule of Law. Absent actual malice, a private individual may be awarded damages even when there is no matter of public concern if he proves that there was a false statement and that it was negligently made.
The concept that government may restrict the speech of some elements of our society in order to enhance the relative voice of others is wholly foreign to the First Amendment.
View Full Point of LawIssue. Was the credit report a matter of public concern?
Held. No. However, Respondent should have been allowed to collect damages as this ruling does not violate the First Amendment.
Dissent. The test from Gertz should have been applied here to overturn the jury award.
Discussion. The private information that was shared was false, but its validity could have easily been checked. Respondent was harmed by this oversight and deserves to be compensated and protected from future harm.