What is the "opinion defense" in libel law?

The "opinion defense" in libel law refers to the idea that statements presenting subjective views, feelings, or interpretations rather than objective, verifiable facts are protected from defamation claims. This means that if someone expresses a personal opinion, they typically cannot be held liable for libel, as such expressions do not meet the legal standard of false statements about facts that can cause reputational harm.

In this context, the distinction between opinion and factual claims is crucial. Opinions are inherently subjective and do not assert definitive truths that can be proven false. For instance, saying "I think this movie is terrible" is an opinion, while stating "This movie has a 10% approval rating" can be fact-checked and may expose the speaker to liability if it is false.

Other options present alternatives that do not accurately capture the essence of the opinion defense. Assuming facts without evidence does not protect against libel claims. Describing a statement as popular belief suggests a community consensus that could imply a factual basis, and providing anonymity to the author does not directly relate to the opinion defense. Thus, understanding the nature of subjective versus objective statements is key to grasping the opinion defense concept in libel law.