Torts Day Six: The Dignitary Torts

Torts Day Six: The Dignitary Torts

From Law School by The Law School of America

April 18, 2026 · 1h 4m

About this episode

This episode explores the intricacies of tort law related to reputation, privacy, and free speech in the digital age.

This episode unpacks the intricate landscape of tort law related to reputation, privacy, and free speech, emphasizing how legal principles adapt to the digital age. We explore key doctrines like defamation, privacy invasions, and economic interference, illustrating how courts balance individual dignity against societal interests—crucial knowledge for legal professionals and digital content creators alike. Most of us underestimate just how fragile our reputation and privacy are in the digital age. This episode unveils the hidden legal frameworks protecting your dignity—frameworks that even savvy content creators and digital citizens often overlook. When a simple misstep or a viral misstatement can ruin years of hard-earned reputation, understanding the mechanics behind defamation, privacy, and economic torts becomes essential. Imagine being falsely accused online, your private moments exposed without your consent, or your business reputation sabotaged by a competitor. We dissect how courts evaluate not just what was said or done, but the legal boundaries around free speech, public figures, and private citizens. You'll discover: the five strict elements of defamation and why the…

Topics covered

  • free speech
  • tort law
  • defamation
  • privacy
  • digital age
  • reputation
  • economic interference

Keywords

  • dignitary torts
  • defamation
  • privacy invasions
  • economic torts
  • digital reputation
  • First Amendment
  • public figures
  • private citizens

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Law School of America

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