Idaho high court considers 'defamation by inference' lawsuit
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Idaho Supreme Court heard arguments Friday in a case that could determine whether individuals have the right to sue if they think someone implied — but didn't outright say — something defamatory.
The issue arose in a lawsuit brought last year by former teacher James Verity against USA Today; KTVB television in Boise, Idaho; KGW television in Portland, Oregon, and others in the news industry after the news organizations reported on the results of a national investigation into teacher licensing. The investigation found that teachers who had a license revoked in one state were often able to move to another state to be licensed there.