Question

Read the following passage from Freedom of Expression in the United States regarding defamatory speech, which is a false statement of fact that damages a person's character, fame, or reputation:

Under U.S. defamation law, there are different standards for public officials and private individuals. Speakers are afforded greater protection when they comment about a public official, as opposed to a private citizen. In 1964, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that public officials could prove defamation only if they could demonstrate "actual malice," that is, that the speaker acted with knowledge that the defamatory statement was false or "with reckless disregard of whether it was false or not."


Choose the explicit textual evidence that best supports the claim that not all citizens are given the same protection under U.S. defamation law . . .

Question 12 options:

In 1964, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that public officials could prove defamation only if they could demonstrate "actual malice" . . .


Speakers are afforded greater protection when they comment about a public official . . .


Under U.S. defamation law, there are different standards for public officials and private individuals.


. . . the speaker acted with knowledge that the defamatory statement was false or "with reckless disregard of whether it was false or not."

Answer 1

It’s this option because it’s says that different standards are appointed to either public officials or private individuals which answers the question because this is the only option that gives the specific and explicit information that suggests the claim that not all citizens are given protection the U.S defamation law.

(Thank you for the question I would kindly ask you to correct me if I am wrong.)
(Much Thanks.)

Answer 2

"Under U.S. defamation law, there are different standards for public officials and private individuals."

Step-by-step explanation:

This statement from the passage is explicit textual evidence that supports the claim that not all citizens are given the same protection under U.S. defamation law. The statement explicitly states that there are different standards for public officials and private individuals, which suggests that these two groups are not treated equally under defamation law. This supports the claim that not all citizens are given the same protection.