TORTS--POWER OF A MINICIPAL CORPORATION TO SUE FOR LIBEL

Authors

Abstract

Can a municipal corporation maintain an action for libel? The recent $10,000,000 libel suit instituted by the City of Chicago against the Chicago Tribune promises to become a leading case in the solution of this question. The declaration filed by the city alleged ownership of property used in city affairs and that the city purchased materials for the maintenance of such property largely upon credit. It charged that libellous statements were falsely and maliciously published by the Chicago Tribune to the effect that the city was bankrupt and could not pay its debts, with intent to destroy its credit and financial standing. By way of special damage, it was alleged that as a result of these publications the city was forced to pay higher prices for supplies and that there was a decrease in revenue from the sale of bonds. In sustaining a demurrer, the court held that every citizen has a right to criticise an inefficient and corrupt government without fear of civil or criminal prosecution, that his remarks are absolutely privileged, and that in this regard "no distinction can be made with respect to the proprietary and governmental capacities of a city." City of Chicago v. The Tribune Co. (Ill., 1923), _N. E._.

Recommended Citation

TORTS--POWER OF A MINICIPAL CORPORATION TO SUE FOR LIBEL, 21 Mich. L. Rev. 915 (1923).
Available at: https://repository.law.umich.edu/mlr/vol21/iss8/9