Slicing Defamation by Contract
Chicago Law Review Online, 2020
11 Pages Posted: 15 Oct 2020
Date Written: March 30, 2020
Abstract
In considering the problem of fake news, many debate the merits of expanding media liability through the tort doctrine of defamation. In this Essay I present an alternative: assigning liability for false accusations by contract. I develop and examine the utility of using truth bounties — contractual agreements to pay a bounty to anyone who can falsify a story.
On reflection, contractual tools appear more productive and robust than tort liability; in particular, truth bounties can encourage responsible media reporting, crowd-source the search for truth, send a refined signal of trust in the story, and chill false reports. Truth bounties are also realistic and compatible with the incentives of media outlets, although some of the procedural details need to be developed for mass adoption.
Keywords: defamation, libel, torts, contracts, media liability, fake news, truth bounties
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