From Casetext: Smarter Legal Research

Chapadeau v. Utica Observer

Court of Appeals of the State of New York
Dec 4, 1975
38 N.Y.2d 196 (N.Y. 1975)

Summary

holding that private figure plaintiffs may recover for statements " arguably within the sphere of legitimate public concern" only when they establish that the media defendant acted in a " grossly irresponsible manner"

Summary of this case from Inside Radio, Inc. v. Clear Channel Communications, Inc.

Opinion

Argued October 22, 1975

Decided December 4, 1975

Appeal from the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court in the Fourth Judicial Department, RICHARD N. DONOVAN, J.

G. Gerald Fiesinger, Jr., for appellant.

Robert A. Bankert for respondent.


This appeal concerns the granting of summary judgment in favor of the defendant in a defamation action. Appellant, Chapadeau, is a public school teacher who was arrested in Utica on June 10, 1971 and charged with criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument and criminal possession of a dangerous drug, heroin, in the fourth degree. The next day, respondent's newspaper, The Utica Observer-Dispatch, reported Chapadeau's arrest in an article which also related that two Herkimer men had been arrested on misdemeanor drug charges. After reporting the three arrests the newspaper account went on to state that, "The trio was part of a group at a party in Brookwood Park where they were arrested. Drugs and beer were found at the party, police charge." Appellant claims that the quoted sentences which were false and maliciously published, libeled him. The newspaper admitted the falsity of those sentences but contended that in its entirety the article was a fair and true report and moved for summary judgment.

The trial court denied the motion but was subsequently reversed. The Appellate Division held that in light of Chapadeau's occupation and the nature of the crime his arrest was a matter of public interest and therefore qualifiedly privileged. Relying on Rosenbloom v Metromedia, Inc. ( 403 U.S. 29) the Appellate Division concluded that the communication was privileged absent malice and the mere showing of defendant's failure to discover and correct the error was insufficient to warrant a trial on the issue of malice.

On appeal the appellant contends that the Appellate Division order must be overturned because the constitutional privilege with respect to matters of public interest which had been mandated by Rosenbloom (supra) was eliminated by the Supreme Court in Gertz v Robert Welch, Inc. ( 418 U.S. 323). Thus, the principal issue is on what basis, subject to the limitations enunciated in Gertz, (supra) may a publisher of defamatory falsehoods about a private individual be held liable. We agree with the appellant that liability for publishing matters of public interest should be governed by some sort of fault standard, nevertheless, we conclude that in this case summary judgment was proper.

Prior to the landmark decision in New York Times Co. v Sullivan ( 376 U.S. 254) the constitutional protections embodied in the First Amendment did not extend to defamatory statements. However, in the New York Times case, the Supreme Court brought the law of libel within the ambit of constitutional protection by holding that a public official could not recover for a defamatory statement about his official conduct in the absence of proof of malice. Although this constitutional privilege was limited in applicability to public officials, it was soon greatly expanded to include lower echelon officials (e.g., Henry v Collins, 380 U.S. 356 [police chief]; Rosenblatt v Baer, 383 U.S. 75 [recreation supervisor]; Beckley Newspaper v Hanks, 389 U.S. 81 [county clerk]; St. Amant v Thompson, 390 U.S. 727 [Deputy Sheriff]); candidates for public office (e.g., Monitor Patriot Co. v Roy, 401 U.S. 265; Ocala Star-Banner Co. v Damron, 401 U.S. 295) and plaintiffs classified as public figures (Curtis Pub. Co. v Butts, 388 U.S. 130). The apogee of this development was Rosenbloom v Metromedia, Inc. ( 403 U.S. 29, supra). Despite the fact that it was a badly split plurality, the court held that libelous statements about a private individual involved in a matter of public concern were privileged and liability would result only where actual malice was established.

Under the compulsion of Rosenbloom our court extended the constitutional privilege to publishers of libelous statements concerning private individuals who were involved in matters of public interest (Trails West v Wolff, 32 N.Y.2d 207; Twenty-Five East 40th St. Rest. Corp. v Forbes, Inc., 30 N.Y.2d 595; Kent v City of Buffalo, 29 N.Y.2d 818; Frink v McEldowney, 29 N.Y.2d 720). Subsequently, the Supreme Court, sensing that the balance between free speech and private reputation had tipped too far in the direction of free speech, retreated from Rosenbloom. In Gertz, a plurality opinion by Mr. Justice POWELL, the court stated that Rosenbloom transgressed the legitimate State interest in providing a remedy for defamations injurious to the reputation of private individuals (Gertz, 418 U.S. 323, 343, supra). The court felt that private individuals are more vulnerable because they lack a forum to rebut the false statements and that they are more deserving of recovery because they have not thrust themselves into the vortex of public controversy. Consequently, the court concluded that the States should be accorded "substantial latitude" in fashioning a remedy based on fault.

However, lest the pendulum swing back too far, the court set forth certain limitations. First, the court abolished the concept of strict liability which had existed at common law (Prosser, Torts [4th ed], § 113; Harper and James, Torts, ch 5 et seq.) and directed that there be no liability without fault (Gertz, supra, at p 347). Secondly, the doctrine of presumed damages which governed at common law was eliminated and recovery restricted to compensation for actual injury. Lastly, the award of punitive damages was precluded, except on a showing of knowledge of falsity or reckless disregard for the truth (p 349). These limitations persuaded Mr. Justice BLACKMUN to abandon his joinder in the Rosenbloom majority and cast the deciding vote in Gertz. His primary motivation was that the limitations expressed would remove the specters of presumed and punitive damages thereby forestalling self-censorship.

We now hold that within the limits imposed by the Supreme Court where the content of the article is arguably within the sphere of legitimate public concern, which is reasonably related to matters warranting public exposition, the party defamed may recover; however, to warrant such recovery he must establish, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the publisher acted in a grossly irresponsible manner without due consideration for the standards of information gathering and dissemination ordinarily followed by responsible parties.

Turning to the instant case we look first to the nature of the offending communication. The article at issue here concerned the arrest of a public school teacher for unlawful possession of a hypodermic needle and felony possession of heroin. Thus stated it becomes abundantly clear that the challenged communication falls within the sphere of legitimate public concern. Chapadeau's occupation, one highly influential with the youth of the community, coupled with the oft-cited menace of heroin addiction makes further expatiation unnecessary. The question then becomes whether the appellant submitted evidence sufficient to raise an issue of fact as to the newspaper's culpability.

Appellant asserts that respondent printed the article although it had no source indicating that Chapadeau was in Brookwood Park on that day or that he was arrested at a party there. Neither the Herkimer police captain who had been interviewed, nor the police record which had been examined, indicated that Chapadeau was associated with the other two persons arrested. Additionally, appellant contends that the failure of the State desk reporter and the copy reader to catch the error should preclude summary judgment. We disagree. These factors alone are insufficient to raise a question as to grossly irresponsible conduct. On the contrary they prove the opposite. The instant article was written only after two authoritative sources had been consulted and it was not published until it had been checked by at least two persons other than the writer. This is hardly indicative of gross irresponsibility. Rather it appears that the publisher exercised reasonable methods to insure accuracy.

The mere fact that the word trio was mistakenly substituted for the word duo should not, of itself, result in liability. A limited number of typographical errors, as this appears to be, are inevitable.

Accordingly, the order of the Appellate Division should be affirmed.

Chief Judge BREITEL and Judges JASEN, GABRIELLI, FUCHSBERG and COOKE concur; Judge JONES taking no part.

Order affirmed, with costs.


Summaries of

Chapadeau v. Utica Observer

Court of Appeals of the State of New York
Dec 4, 1975
38 N.Y.2d 196 (N.Y. 1975)

holding that private figure plaintiffs may recover for statements " arguably within the sphere of legitimate public concern" only when they establish that the media defendant acted in a " grossly irresponsible manner"

Summary of this case from Inside Radio, Inc. v. Clear Channel Communications, Inc.

holding that the test for determining liability for a news article concerned with a matter of "legitimate public concern" is "whether the publisher acted in a grossly irresponsible manner * * *"

Summary of this case from Dairy Stores, Inc. v. Sentinel Pub. Co.

holding that where the content of the article is arguably within the sphere of legitimate public concern, the defamed party may recover if it establishes, "by a preponderance of the evidence, that the publisher acted in a grossly irresponsible manner without due consideration for the standards of information gathering and dissemination ordinarily followed by responsible parties"

Summary of this case from I.M. Operating, LLC v. Younan

adopting gross negligence standard

Summary of this case from Mathis v. Philadelphia Newspapers, Inc.

In Chapadeau, the state's highest court held that when the content of an allegedly defamatory statement "is arguably within the sphere of legitimate public concern," a plaintiff must show that the statement was made in a grossly irresponsible manner.

Summary of this case from Sandoval v. Does

In Chapadeau v. Utica Observer-Dispatch, Inc., 38 N.Y.2d 196, 379 N.Y.S.2d 61, 341 N.E.2d 569 (1975), the New York Court of Appeals addressed the " level of fault" required to establish a claim of defamation.

Summary of this case from Treppel v. Biovail Corp.

In Chapadeau v. Utica Observer-Dispatch, Inc., 38 N.Y.2d 196, 341 N.E.2d 569, 379 N.Y.S.2d 61 (1975), the Court of Appeals held that in libel actions involving matters of public concern, plaintiffs have the burden of showing that the reporter acted in a "grossly irresponsible manner."

Summary of this case from Broad v. Conway

In Chapadeau v. Utica Observer Dispatch, Inc., 38 N.Y.2d 196, 379 N YS.2d 61, 341 N.E.2d 569 (1975), the New York Court of Appeals supplied the controlling standard.

Summary of this case from Nelson v. Globe Intern., Inc.

In Chapadeau, we held that "where the content of the article is arguably within the sphere of legitimate public concern, which is reasonably related to matters warranting public exposition," the defamed party must establish "that the publisher acted in a grossly irresponsible manner without due consideration for the standards of information gathering and dissemination ordinarily followed by responsible parties."

Summary of this case from Weiner v. Doubleday Co.

In Chapadeau, supra, the New York Court of Appeals held that a preponderance-of-the-evidence standard applies to its "gross irresponsibility" test.

Summary of this case from Lansdowne v. Beacon Journal Pub. Co.

In Chapadeau, the New York Court of Appeals held: "* * * [W]here the content of the article is arguably within the sphere of legitimate public concern, which is reasonably related to matters warranting public exposition," id. at 199, 379 N.Y. Supp. 2d at 64, 341 N.E.2d at 571, a private-figure plaintiff can recover if it is established "by a preponderance of the evidence that the publisher acted in a grossly irresponsible manner without due consideration for the standards of information gathering and dissemination ordinarily followed by responsible parties."

Summary of this case from Lansdowne v. Beacon Journal Pub. Co.

In Chapadeau this court held that "where the content of the article is arguably within the sphere of legitimate public concern, which is reasonably related to matters warranting public exposition," a defamed party may recover damages only on a showing of gross irresponsibility (38 N.Y.2d, p 199).

Summary of this case from Gaeta v. New York News

In Chapadeau, we were concerned with the rules to be applied to allegedly defamatory statements concerning private individuals involved in matters of public interest.

Summary of this case from James v. Gannett Co.

In Chapadeau v. Utica Observer-Dispatch (38 N.Y.2d 196, 199), a case often cited and never disturbed, the Court of Appeals stated, "where the content of the article is arguably within the sphere of legitimate public concern, which is reasonably related to matters warranting public exposition, the party defamed may recover; however, to warrant such recovery he must establish, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the publisher acted in a grossly irresponsible manner without due consideration for the standards of information gathering and dissemination ordinarily followed by responsible parties."

Summary of this case from Millus v. Newsday, Inc.

In Chapadeau (supra, p 199), the Court of Appeals set the New York standard, stating: "[W]here the content of the article is arguably within the sphere of legitimate public concern, which is reasonably related to matters warranting public exposition, the party defamed may recover; however, to warrant such recovery he must establish, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the publisher acted in a grossly irresponsible manner without due consideration for the standards of information gathering and dissemination ordinarily followed by responsible parties.

Summary of this case from Ortiz v. Valdescastilla

In Chapadeau (supra, p 200) itself the court emphasized: "The instant article was written only after two authoritative sources had been consulted and it was not published until it had been checked by at least two persons other than the writer.

Summary of this case from Ortiz v. Valdescastilla

In Chapadeau v Utica Observer-Dispatch (38 N.Y.2d 196, supra), the Court of Appeals set the New York standard, "[W]here the content of the article is arguably within the sphere of legitimate public concern, which is reasonably related to matters warranting public exposition, the party defamed may recover; however, to warrant such recovery he must establish, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the publisher acted in a grossly irresponsible manner without due consideration for the standards of information gathering and dissemination ordinarily followed by responsible parties."

Summary of this case from Freeze Right Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Services, Inc. v. City of New York

In Chapadeau, it was held that where a news article is "arguably within the sphere of legitimate public concern", the party allegedly defamed must establish that "the publisher acted in a grossly irresponsible manner without due consideration for the standards of information gathering and dissemination ordinarily followed by responsible parties" (38 N.Y.2d, at p 199).

Summary of this case from Gaeta v. New York News

In Chapadeau v. Utica Observer-Dispatch (38 N.Y.2d 196, supra), the Court of Appeals fashioned a gross negligence standard to balance the need for free debate against the right of the individual to be secure in his reputation.

Summary of this case from Greenberg v. CBS Inc.

In Chapadeau v Utica Observer-Dispatch (38 N.Y.2d 196, 199, supra), the Court of Appeals responded to the Gertz decision and formulated the following rule: "where the content of the article is arguably within the sphere of legitimate public concern, which is reasonably related to matters warranting public exposition, the party defamed may recover; however, to warrant such recovery he must establish, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the publisher acted in a grossly irresponsible manner without due consideration for the standards of information gathering and dissemination ordinarily followed by responsible parties."

Summary of this case from Cottom v. Meredith Corp.

In Chapadeau, the Court of Appeals was concerned with libel based upon misstatement of facts. "In order to be deemed privileged, comment on a matter of public interest must be fair, the facts truly stated, and an honest expression of the writer's real opinion or belief" (35 N.Y. Jur, Libel and Slander, § 127).

Summary of this case from Wehringer v. Newman

In Chapadeau, the Court of Appeals outlined the history of libel law jurisprudence in New York State, citing "the landmark decision" in New York Times Co. v Sullivan (376 US 254), which "brought the law of libel within the ambit of the constitutional protections" of the First Amendment by holding that "a public official cannot recover for a defamatory statement about his official conduct in the absence of proof of malice."

Summary of this case from Ibrahim v. Fox Television Stations Inc.

In Chapadeau, the Court of Appeals outlined the history of libel law jurisprudence in New York State, citing "the landmark decision" in New York Times Co. v Sullivan (376 US 254), which "brought the law of libel within the ambit of the constitutional protections" of the First Amendment by holding that "a public official cannot recover for a defamatory statement about his official conduct in the absence of proof of malice."

Summary of this case from IBRAHIM v. FOX TEL. STAS., INC.

In Chapadeau, the Court of Appeals held that an article that reported, albeit incorrectly, the arrest of a public school teacher fell within the ambit of legitimate public concern and that its content was directly related to "matters warranting public exposition" (38 NY2d at 199, 200).

Summary of this case from Visentin v. Haldane Cent. School Dist

In Chapadeau, the Court of Appeals held that an article that reported, albeit incorrectly, the arrest of a public school teacher fell within the ambit of legitimate public concern and that its content was directly related to "matters warranting public exposition" (38 NY2d at 199, 200).

Summary of this case from Visentin v. HALDANE SCHOOL
Case details for

Chapadeau v. Utica Observer

Case Details

Full title:JOSEPH L. CHAPADEAU, Appellant, v. UTICA OBSERVER-DISPATCH, INC.…

Court:Court of Appeals of the State of New York

Date published: Dec 4, 1975

Citations

38 N.Y.2d 196 (N.Y. 1975)
379 N.Y.S.2d 61
341 N.E.2d 569

Citing Cases

Karaduman v. Newsday, Inc.

Plaintiff's first cause of action, which was based solely upon the original publication of the accusation in…

Ortiz v. Valdescastilla

( Mencher v. Chesley, 297 N.Y. 94, 100.) The focus of the controversy, on this appeal, however, is not with…