Walpole v. Charleston County

Syllabus

In this defamation action, Appellants--six members of the 2014-2015 Academic Magnet High School (AMHS) football team and their head coach, Eugene Walpole (Coach Walpole)--appeal the circuit court's order granting summary judgment to Respondent Jones Street Publishers. Appellants contend the circuit court erred in (1) finding the statements of fact in certain articles published by Jones Street Publishers are protected by the fair report privilege, (2) finding the opinions expressed in the articles are not actionable, (3) finding Appellants have not shown proof of injury to reputation, (4) finding the alleged defamatory statements were not \of and concerning\ the students, and (5) finding Coach Walpole has not shown that Jones Street Publishers acted with actual malice. We affirm.