Florida Publishing Co. v. Lee

Citations

• 76 Fla. 405

Syllabus

<p>1. The general rule is that in the absence of a constitutional or statutory provision to the contrary the truth of an elleged libelous publication is a complete defense in a Civil action for libel.</p> <p>2. In this State, because of the provisions of Section 13 of tbe Bill of Rights requiring it, in addition to making it appear that the matter charged as libelous was true, it must also be alleged and proved that such matter was published for good motives.</p> <p>3. Although they should exercise due care in gathering and publishing news, newspapers are not held to the exact facts or the most minute details of transactions since the law only requires that .published articles shall be substantially true.</p>