Public Figurehood in the Digital Age

INTRODUCTION ................................................................................... 403 I. THE PUBLIC FIGURE CONCEPT IN DEFAMATION LAW: FROM NEW YORK TIMES TO GERTZ ..................................... 404 II. THE ROAD NOT TAKEN: ROSENBLOOM V. METROMEDIA . 408 III. WHY ROSENBLOOM, NOT GERTZ, OFFERS THE BEST STANDARD FOR DECIDING DEFAMATION CLAIMS IN THE DIGITAL AGE. .................................................................. 410 A. Changes in the media landscape have undermined Gertz’s “self-help” rationale. .............................................................. 410 B. The digital age has significantly eroded the “public figure” versus “private figure” distinction. ......................................... 412 C. Objections to adoption of the Rosenbloom rule can be overcome. .............................................................................. 416 CONCLUSION ....................................................................................... 418