A few days ago I was sitting comfortably in my office when I received a phone call from a very good celebrity friend who happens to be a popular television evangelist. He was mad as a wet hen! Some foolish woman had called into a radio talk show and accused him of being an “UNDERCOVER HOMOSEXUAL” I asked him “What in God’s creation is that?” He said that he had never heard the phrase, but it sounded pretty darn derogatory to him. He wanted to sue! By this time I was bent over with laughter! It was just so amusing for me to see this successful and popular married minister with three kids get so upset over such a ludicrous allegation from such an idiot. I convinced him that it was better to leave it alone. 

Many people are not aware that what they say about people could land them into some pretty hot water. This is what you should know about defamation.

A newspaper, television or radio station that publishes something about a private citizen that is not true can be held liable for the tort of libel. Similarly, a person who says something that is not true about a person can be held liable for slander. The distinction between libel and slander is that libelous information is printed or broadcast, while slanderous information is spoken. Both forms are considered forms of defamation since they can cause harm to an individual’s reputation. These cases are not easy to win against the media. The media also enjoys rights of free speech guaranteed by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Therefore, editorial opinions or someone else’s opinion published by the newspaper is protected speech. The newspaper would not be held liable for defaming you. There isn’t a court in America that would hold someone liable for making a statement that is simply an opinion. Likewise no one can be held liable for making a statement that is true. 

In the case of my famous friend, the law provides greater freedom for people to comment on and criticize those persons in the public eye. My friend is a “public figure” He has a booming television ministry and therefore he is not given as much protection from defamation as are private citizens. In most cases he would have to prove “actual malice”. That the statements made were known to be false or that the person making the comments was acting recklessly as to whether it was false or not.  

I finally convinced him that with his movie star good looks, tremendous bank account, beautiful wife and kids being called an undercover homosexual isn’t that bad. In fact we really don’t know what it means. He finally laughed and we ended a lively conversation. I told him when he comes to Birmingham, Debra and I will check him out! I know you all are dying to know who this person is, but my lips are sealed. 

In the words of my dad, “If these gas prices get any higher I am going to buy me a horse!”