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Baldoni, Wayfarer & others Sue The New York Times
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By Jane Doe | NEW YORK – 2025/06/19 05:17:45
Justin Baldoni, Wayfarer, Heath, Sarowitz, Nathan, TAG, Abel, RWA Communications, Wallace and Street Relations filed a lawsuit against The New York Times Dec. 31.
According to E! News, the suit accuses The New York Times of libel, false light invasion of privacy, promissory fraud and breach of implied-in-fact contract related to an article about a smear campaign allegedly conducted against Blake Lively after she raised concerns about on-set misconduct.
The plaintiffs claim the report was “false” and based on Lively’s CRD complaint. They also allege messages cited in the article and complaint were taken out of context.
The lawsuit states, “Despite its claim to have ‘reviewed these along wiht other documents[,]’ the Times relied almost entirely on Lively’s unverified and self-serving narrative, lifting it nearly verbatim while disregarding an abundance of evidence that contradicted her claims and exposed her true motives.”
The plaintiffs further allege that “it was Lively,not Plaintiffs,who engaged in a calculated smear campaign.” Lively has denied these allegations.
The New York Times has stated its intention to “vigorously defend against the lawsuit.”
In a statement to E!, The New york Times asserted, “The role of an independent news institution is to follow the facts where they lead. Our story was meticulously and responsibly reported. It was based on a review of thousands of pages of original documents, including the text messages and emails that we quote accurately and at length in the article.”
“The role of an independent news organization is to follow the facts where they lead,”
Frequently Asked questions About defamation
- What is the difference between libel and slander?
- Libel is written defamation, while slander is spoken defamation. Both involve false statements that harm someone’s reputation.
- What is “actual malice” in a defamation case?
- “Actual malice” is a legal standard that applies to public figures suing for defamation. It means the statement was made with knowledge that it was false or with reckless disregard for whether it was false or not.
- What defenses can be used in a defamation lawsuit?
- Common defenses include truth, opinion, and privilege (e.g., statements made in court proceedings).
- What kind of damages can be awarded in a defamation case?
- Damages can include compensation for reputational harm, emotional distress, and financial losses.
- How does the First Amendment protect free speech in defamation cases?
- The First Amendment protects free speech, but this protection is not absolute. Defamatory statements that meet certain criteria are not protected by the First Amendment.
