Urban One has filed a motion to dismiss Brian McKnight’s defamation lawsuit concerning broadcasts on FOXY 107.1 and The Rickey Smiley Morning Show. The defense argues that statements made by McKnight’s ex-wife and son do not qualify as factual defamation authored by the network. Defense counsel asserts that the broadcasts largely consisted of protected opinions or non-actionable questions. Furthermore, as a public figure, McKnight faces the heightened burden of proving actual malice, which the network claims he has failed to sufficiently allege.
This legal maneuvering highlights the strict liabilities and First Amendment protections surrounding third-party statements in syndicated terrestrial radio. A dismissal would reinforce network immunity against defamation claims arising from live or excerpted guest interviews.
Curated by MusicResearch.com from Billboard Pro. Read the full article at: Brian McKnight Defamation Lawsuit: Radio Network Says Case Over Ex-Wife’s Interview Is Legally Baseless
