Floyd v. WBTW [1]

In July 2006, Dr. James Floyd sued South Carolina television station WBTW-TV and its parent company for defamation in South Carolina state court. The dispute revolved around a March 1, 2006 WBTW-TV report on local doctors suspended from the practice of medicine for various forms of misconduct. The report directed viewers to WBTW's website, which contained a list of suspended doctors and the reasons for their suspensions. According to Dr. Floyd's complaint and other court papers, the website indicated that Floyd's license had been suspended because of his use of crack cocaine when in fact it had been suspended due to alcohol-related problems.

WBTW removed the case to federal court in South Carolina and moved for summary judgment, arguing that the statement on the website was substantially true and that the reporter who posted it lacked "common law malice," which requires that the publication be motivated by hatred, ill will, or desire to injure. The Court denied WBTW's motion, ruling that the issues raised by the television station were questions of fact for the jury to decide.

On January 10, 2008, the trial in the case began. The parties settled on the same day, before it concluded.