Quote Originally Posted by Yellowfin View Post
Public figures can't claim slander or libel, as it would too easily be used to silence free political speech. That's why.
Sure they can, but they have to prove legal malice; the defendant has to have known it was false, or acted with reckless disregard for the truth.

For non-public figures, the plaintiff just has to prove that it was false (and that they were damaged).