Final answer:
Katie Holmes successfully sued Star magazine for libel after it published a misleading headline implying she had a drug problem. The magazine settled by apologizing and donating to charity, underscoring the impact of false statements on an individual's reputation, particularly for public figures who must demonstrate 'reckless disregard' or malicious intent on the part of the publisher to prove defamation. option b is answer
Step-by-step explanation:
Defamation and its Consequences
In the case of Katie Holmes suing Star magazine in 2011, the correct answer to what she successfully sued the magazine for is libel. Libel involves publishing false statements that harm someone's reputation. Star magazine published a misleading headline which insinuated that Katie Holmes was battling a drug addiction, potentially causing damage to her reputation and affecting her career opportunities.
The magazine settled with Holmes by issuing an apology and making a donation to a charity of her choice, reflecting the serious implications of defamation, particularly for public figures.
Defamation laws are essential because they help protect individuals from false statements that could damage their personal and professional lives. The courts expect the media to refrain from publishing false information as fact, especially when it could constitute defamation leading to loss of reputation and income. A public figure, like Katie
Holmes, typically must prove that the publisher acted with 'reckless disregard' for the truth or malicious intent, as established in the legal precedent set by the New York Times v. Sullivan (1964) case. option b is answer