The suit alleges that an article published in The Times on June 15th, 2023, falsely and maliciously claimed that Lively and Baldoni had an affair during the filming of the movie. The article also alleged that the publicists had covered up the affair.
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for harm to Lively’s and Baldoni’s reputations, as well as punitive damages against The Times.
The Times’ Response
The Times has denied the allegations in the lawsuit and has vowed to vigorously defend itself against the claims.
“We stand by our reporting and believe that the article in question was fair and accurate,” a spokesperson for The Times said in a statement.
The Evidence
The lawsuit does not provide any specific evidence to support the claims of defamation. However, the plaintiffs’ attorneys have said that they have a number of witnesses who will testify that the article was false.
The Times has said that it will provide evidence in court to support its reporting.
The Legal Issues
The law of defamation is complex and varies from state to state. In New York, the elements of a defamation claim are:
- A false statement of fact
- Publication of the statement to a third party
- Damages to the plaintiff’s reputation
The Times has argued that the article in question is not defamatory because it is not a statement of fact but rather an opinion.
The plaintiffs’ attorneys have argued that the article is defamatory because it contains false statements of fact, such as the claim that Lively and Baldoni had an affair.
The Public Relations Impact
The lawsuit is likely to have a significant impact on the public relations of all the parties involved.
If The Times is found liable for defamation, it could damage the newspaper’s reputation for accuracy and fairness.
If the plaintiffs are found liable for defamation, it could damage their reputations and make it more difficult for them to get work in the future.
The Broader Implications
The lawsuit is also likely to have broader implications for the way that the media reports on celebrities and public figures.
If The Times is found liable for defamation, it could make other media outlets more hesitant to report on the private lives of celebrities and public figures.
This could have a chilling effect on the public’s right to know about the activities of those in power.
Conclusion
The lawsuit between ‘It Ends With Us’ star, director, publicists and The Times is a complex and high-stakes case that could have significant implications for the parties involved, the media, and the public.
