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ARKANSAS COURT OF APPEALS
DIVISION III
No. CV-16-139
DANIEL GREENBERG Opinion Delivered: May 24, 2017
APPELLANT
APPEAL FROM THE SALINE COUNTY
V. CIRCUIT COURT
[NO. 63CV-13-164]
HORIZON ARKANSAS
PUBLICATIONS, INC., ET AL. HONORABLE GRISHAM PHILLIPS, JUDGE
APPELLEES
AFFIRMED
RAYMOND R. ABRAMSON, Judge
Daniel Greenberg sued Horizon Arkansas Publications, Inc., et al. (sometimes
referred to as appellees) for defamation. 1 Greenberg’s lawsuit arose out of a series of
editorials published in 2010 in the Benton Courier and written by Kristal Kuykendall who
served as editor of the paper at the time. The Saline County Circuit Court granted summary
judgment in favor of appellees, and Greenberg appealed. We affirm.
I. Background
Daniel Greenberg served as a state representative in the Arkansas General Assembly
from 2006 to 2010. In 2010, Greenberg was a candidate in the Republican primary for
Arkansas State Senate District 22, a portion of which is located in Saline County.
Greenberg’s opponent was former state representative Jeremy Hutchinson.
1
Horizon Arkansas Publications, Inc., owns and publishes the Benton Courier, a Saline
County newspaper.
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During the course of the election, the Benton Courier published a series of editorials
written by Kristal Kuykendall about Greenberg, Hutchinson, and their respective
campaigns. The editorials were published on March 7, 2010 (First Editorial), March 28,
2010 (Second Editorial), April 19, 2010 (Third Editorial), and April 26, 2010 (Fourth
Editorial).
The First Editorial addressed two topics pertinent to Greenberg. Kuykendall began
by engaging in a general discussion of what she considered to be dishonest political
advertising. She mentioned a television advertisement by Greenberg in which he quoted
the Benton Courier: “You should appreciate having legislators like Dan Greenberg on your
side.” This quote had been written in a 2009 editorial praising Greenberg’s work for open
government. Kuykendall believed that the use of the quote made it appear that the
newspaper was endorsing Greenberg when it was not. She also disagreed with the use of
this quote because it was written by a previous editor of the Benton Courier. Later in the
editorial, Kuykendall wrote that she had previously “swor[n] on the spot that [Greenberg
would] never have [her] support as a candidate for anything” as a result of a comment he
was said to have made about access to healthcare. Kuykendall explained that, “basically,
when someone questioned whether the nation’s health care system was broken because not
everyone has access to health care, Greenberg’s response was something like: Of course
everyone in America has access to health care; all they have to do is go to the emergency
room.”
Unhappy with the First Editorial, Greenberg requested and was granted a meeting
with Kuykendall and her publisher, Bryan Bloom. Greenberg agreed to modify the
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television advertisement to state, “[Y]ou should appreciate having legislators like Dan
Greenberg on your side because of his work for open government.” Kuykendall indicated
in an email to Greenberg that the revisions adequately addressed their concerns.
Shortly thereafter, Kuykendall wrote the Second Editorial. In that editorial, she
favorably addressed Greenberg’s modified television advertisement and his meeting with the
Benton Courier staff that led to the modification. She praised Greenberg for “paying attention
to the small-town local paper” and “for being flexible and for striving for the most honest
political campaign commercial possible in this situation.” She also raised an issue reported
to her by one of Greenberg’s constituents—that Greenberg promised to have the mailboxes
of the elderly moved closer to their front doors and, according to his constituent, broke the
promise. Further, Kuykendall praised Greenberg’s volunteerism at a community-care clinic.
Greenberg’s case hinges on Kuykendall’s Third Editorial, in which Kuykendall
addressed four issues relating to Greenberg. First, she discussed polls that showed Greenberg
trailing Hutchinson in their state-senate race. Secondly, she noted that Greenberg was using
the same address for both his legislative and his campaign offices and mentioned that this
“would appear to be a violation of Arkansas campaign ethics.” Next, she wrote that
Greenberg had listed as supporters on campaign materials individuals who were either
neutral or supported Hutchinson. Lastly, she characterized Greenberg’s allegation in a
campaign mailer that Hutchinson lobbied for new taxes as “hatefully dishonest.”
Following the publication of the Third Editorial, Greenberg requested to publish a
responsive guest column in the Benton Courier, and appellees agreed to the request.
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Greenberg’s column generally rebutted Kuykendall’s criticisms of him and challenged her
journalistic methods.
Finally, the Benton Courier published the Fourth Editorial, which presented no new
information but Kuykendall wrote, “I stand firmly behind every fact I presented in [the
Third Editorial] column. I’m afraid I can’t say much more right now . . . .”
In 2013, Greenberg sued appellees for libel. The circuit court ultimately granted a
motion for summary judgment filed by appellees after thorough briefing and an extensive
hearing. Greenberg timely appealed from the order granting summary judgment.
The sole issue presented in this appeal is whether the circuit court erred by granting
summary judgment to appellees on Greenberg’s defamation claim. When reviewing
whether a motion for summary judgment should have been granted, our court determines
whether the evidentiary items presented by the moving party in support of the motion left
a material question of fact unanswered. Bomar v. Moser, 369 Ark. 123, 251 S.W.3d 234
(2007). We view the evidence in the light most favorable to the party against whom the
motion was filed, resolving all doubts and inferences against the moving party. Meadors v.
Still, 344 Ark. 307, 40 S.W.3d 294 (2001).
II. The Elements of the Defamation Claim
“A defamation action turns on whether the communication or publication tends or
is reasonably calculated to cause harm to another’s reputation.” Thompson Newspaper Publ’g,
Inc. v. Coody, 320 Ark. 455, 461, 896 S.W.2d 897, 901 (1995). A plaintiff claiming
defamation must establish (1) the defamatory nature of the statement of fact; (2) the
statement’s identification of or reference to the plaintiff; (3) publication of the statement by
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the defendant; (4) the defendant’s fault in the publication; (5) the statement’s falsity; and (6)
the damages suffered by the plaintiff. Southall v. Little Rock Newspapers, Inc., 332 Ark. 123,
132, 964 S.W.2d 187, 192 (1998).
It is uncontroverted that, at the time of publication, Greenberg was a public figure,
and a public figure may not recover for defamation without clear and convincing proof that
any false statements were made with actual malice. Harte-Hanks Commc’ns, Inc. v.
Connaughton, 491 U.S. 657 (1989). A public figure “invite[s] attention and comment.”
Gertz v. Robert Welch, Inc., 418 U.S. 323, 345 (1974). The heightened level of scrutiny in
public-figure cases is imposed to protect the free exchange of ideas.
To grant summary judgment, the circuit court was required to determine whether
the evidence presented by appellees left a material question of fact unanswered. Bomar,
supra. The only elements in controversy are (1) whether actual malice was shown by
appellees, (2) whether the statements made were false and defamatory, and (3) whether
Greenberg was damaged. A holding that there is insufficient evidence to create a material
question of fact with regard to any of these elements requires our court to affirm the circuit
court’s ruling.
III. Actual Malice
In public-official cases, our review is based on whether the evidence “could support
a reasonable jury’s finding that actual malice was shown by clear and convincing evidence.”
Southall, 332 Ark. at 133, 964 S.W.2d at 193. A finding of actual malice requires that a
statement be made with knowledge that it is false or with reckless disregard of whether it
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was false. Harte-Hanks, 491 U.S. at 659 (citing New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, 376 U.S.
254, 279–80 (1964)).
The meaning of actual malice and more particularly reckless disregard is not readily
captured in one infallible definition. Harte-Hanks, 491 U.S. at 686 (citing St. Amant v.
Thompson, 390 U.S. 727, 730 (1968)). “The actual-malice standard is not satisfied merely
through a showing of ill will or malice in the ordinary sense of the term.” Harte-Hanks, 491
U.S. at 666. There must be sufficient evidence to permit the conclusion that the defendant
entertained serious doubts as to the truth of his publication. Id. at 688. In other words, the
defendant must have an “awareness of the probable falsity of the statements.” Fuller v.
Russell, 311 Ark. 108, 113, 842 S.W.2d 12, 15 (1992).
Direct evidence of actual malice is undoubtedly rare. Accordingly, “[a]lthough
courts must be careful not to place too much reliance on such factors, a plaintiff is entitled
to prove the defendant’s state of mind through circumstantial evidence.” Harte-Hanks, 491
U.S. at 668. Here, Greenberg seeks to establish a material question of fact with regard to
actual malice through circumstantial evidence. This evidence is primarily in the form of
evidence of Kuykendall’s hostility toward Greenberg and her alleged inadequate
investigation into the information contained in the editorials. Nevertheless, our guidepost
is whether there was clear and convincing evidence presented that Kuykendall made
statements about Greenberg with the knowledge that they were false or with reckless
disregard of whether they were false. Id. at 659. We hold that the evidence does not rise
to the level necessary to create a material question of fact regarding actual malice.
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We acknowledge that there is evidence tending to show that Kuykendall harbored
hostility toward Greenberg. Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to Greenberg,
one could conclude that Kuykendall had hostility toward him before she wrote her First
Editorial. Kuykendall admitted in that editorial that she did not support Greenberg’s
candidacy due to a comment he purportedly made regarding access to healthcare.
Discovery also produced emails written by Kuykendall after the Third Editorial was
published indicating that Kuykendall was hostile toward him. She wrote to Jeremy
Hutchinson that Greenberg “makes [her] want to vomit,” “brings shame to the name of
Christ,” and that “his actions have greatly inspired [her] to want to expose him for who and
what he really is.” Kuykendall also wrote to Dennis Milligan, the Republican party
chairman, and said, “[Greenberg] is a f-ing liar,” “[i]t is personal now,” and “he is a fake
and he is making it my mission to expose him for who and what he really is—a snake.”
These emails certainly indicate that Kuykendall harbored anger and hostility toward
Greenberg.
Nevertheless, Kuykendall’s hostility toward Greenberg is not actionable unless there
are material facts in evidence tending to show that she published a statement about him with
the knowledge that it was false or with reckless disregard of whether it was false. Kuykendall
wrote that she wanted to “expose” Greenberg and that he was a liar. In an email to Milligan,
she wrote, “[i]f his advertising was above-board and honest . . . none of this would be an
issue.” She also wrote to Milligan that Greenberg was threatening to sue the Benton Courier
even though “he doesn’t have a FREAKING LEG TO STAND ON LEGALLY.”
Kuykendall’s emails reveal that she believed what she had written.
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Greenberg also criticizes Kuykendall’s investigative and journalistic methods and
contends they constitute circumstantial evidence of actual malice. We acknowledge that
“reckless conduct is not measured by whether a reasonably prudent man would have
investigated before publishing, but whether he, in fact, entertained serious doubts as to the
truth of the publication.” Coody, 320 Ark. at 465, 896 S.W.2d at 903. The evidence on
Kuykendall’s investigative measures fails to show that she entertained serious doubts
regarding the truth of any of her publications.
Greenberg objects to Kuykendall’s journalistic techniques, specifically her lack of
communication with him and later her communication with his opponent, Jeremy
Hutchinson. Although Greenberg questions the quality of her investigation, the evidence
demonstrates that Kuykendall did, in fact, investigate each of the statements made in her
columns. Specifically, Kuykendall spoke to Whit Jones, the former editor of the Benton
Courier; Bryan Bloom; Jeremy Hutchinson; Greenberg’s elderly constituent; Greenberg’s
office landlord; a representative from The Northwest Arkansas Home Builders Association;
Rita Looney, an attorney at the Arkansas Ethics Commission; and various persons listed as
supporters on Greenberg’s campaign material. Additionally, she requested documents to
support the information she received, reviewed those documents, and conducted her own
research.
Greenberg places much emphasis on Kuykendall’s discussion with Rita Looney as
being evidence of actual malice. Kuykendall contacted Looney about what she believed
“would appear to be a violation of Arkansas campaign ethics” because Greenberg was using
the same address for his campaign and legislative offices. Looney executed an affidavit about
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her conversation with Kuykendall that was filed by Greenberg with his response to the
motion for summary judgment. In her affidavit, she recalls her conversation with
Kuykendall and her impression that Kuykendall had concluded that Greenberg had
committed an ethics violation irrespective of Looney’s explanation. A writer’s “perception,
even though possibly mistaken, of a conversation which admittedly occurred must be
protected.” Coody, 320 Ark. at 464, 896 S.W.2d at 902. Considering Looney’s affidavit in
the light most favorable to Greenberg in fact benefits appellees’ position because it
demonstrates that Kuykendall did investigate Greenberg’s alleged ethical violation and
indicates that Kuykendall actually believed Greenberg committed an ethics violation.
The standard of proof in defamation cases involving public figures is high. Evidence
of actual malice must be proved by clear and convincing evidence, and the mere presence
of some circumstantial evidence is insufficient to create a factual question. Coody is
particularly instructive on the evidence sufficient to prove actual malice. 320 Ark. 455, 896
S.W.2d 897. In the Coody opinion, our supreme court acknowledged that hostility is
circumstantial evidence of actual malice but held that the evidence in that case was
insufficient to establish malice with convincing clarity to reach a jury.
Here, the circumstantial evidence presented by Greenberg was insufficient to create
a material question of fact regarding whether Kuykendall made any statements with
knowledge they were false or with reckless disregard of whether they were false. Because
the evidence could not support a reasonable jury’s finding that actual malice was shown by
clear and convincing evidence, we agree with the circuit court that Greenberg’s defamation
claim cannot survive.
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IV. False, Defamatory Nature of Statements
Irrespective of whether there are facts to demonstrate that appellees had actual malice
toward Greenberg, an “allegedly defamatory statement must also imply an assertion of an
objective verifiable fact.” Faulkner v. Ark. Children’s Hosp., 347 Ark. 941, 956, 69 S.W.3d
393, 402 (2002). In cases with media defendants, statements on matters of public concern
must be provable as false before there can be liability for defamation. Milkovich v. Lorain
Journal Co., 497 U.S. 1 (1990). This “ensure[s] that the debate on public issues remains
‘uninhibited, robust, and wide-open.’” Id. at 20. (citing New York Times Co. v. Sullivan,
376 U.S. at 270 (1964)).
Arkansas has set forth several factors that must be weighed in order to determine
whether a statement may be viewed as implying an assertion of fact. Faulkner, 347 Ark.
941, 69 S.W.3d 393. These factors are (1) whether the author used figurative or hyperbolic
language that would negate the impression that he or she was seriously asserting or implying
a fact; (2) whether the general tenor of the publication negates this impression; and (3)
whether the published assertion is susceptible of being proved true or false. Id. at 956, 69
S.W.3d at 402–03.
We begin our analysis by acknowledging that the general tenor of the publication
negates the impression that facts are being asserted in any of the editorials. Each editorial
appeared on the opinion page of the Benton Courier and included a disclaimer that “[a]ny
opinions expressed in this column are hers alone and do not represent the opinions of the
Courier.” Additionally, Kuykendall wrote in the First Editorial, “I would like to reiterate
that these are all my opinions and NOT the opinions of the newspaper.”
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Turning our attention to the individual statements, there are two remarks directed
toward Greenberg in the First Editorial. Kuykendall accused Greenberg of dishonest
advertising when he included a quote from the Benton Courier that “you should appreciate
having legislators like Dan Greenberg by your side.” Kuykendall perceived that Greenberg
took the statement in the Benton Courier out of context to make it appear as though the
newspaper endorsed him. Whether Greenberg’s advertisement was dishonest is not
provably false. Greenberg admitted as much when he submitted to the appellees a proposed
retraction commenting “whether a quote is taken out of context is often a matter of opinion
that people can reasonably disagree about . . . .” Kuykendall also wrote that “basically,
when someone questioned whether the nation’s health care system was broken because not
everyone has access to health care, Greenberg’s response was something like: Of course
everyone in America has access to health care; all they have to do is go to the emergency
room.” Kuykendall prefaced her statement by offering that this was not a direct quote by
Greenberg but rather her understanding of what he had said. Her understanding of what
Greenberg said is not objectively verifiable. Additionally, Kuykendall utilized hyperbolic
language in her discussion of Greenberg’s alleged comments. She said Greenberg’s
comments left her “so speechless” and “dumbfounded” that she “swore on the spot” that
she would not support him. We hold that no statements in the First Editorial are
defamatory.
Similarly, no statements in the Second Editorial qualify as defamatory. In the Second
Editorial, Kuykendall praised Greenberg’s volunteerism, favorably discussed Greenberg’s
revised television advertisement, and relayed a report from a disgruntled constituent who
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claimed Greenberg offered to have her mailbox moved and did not deliver on his promise.
The first two statements were favorable to Greenberg, and Greenberg does not dispute that
the exchange regarding the mailbox occurred.
The Third Editorial has four statements that require our consideration. First,
Kuykendall discussed two election polls that allegedly showed Greenberg trailing
Hutchinson. Greenberg does not give much credence to the results of the polls because
they were unscientific. Nevertheless, he does not dispute that the results of these polls
showed him trailing Hutchinson. Accordingly, this statement is not provably false. Second,
Kuykendall wrote about Greenberg’s use of an inaccurate list of supporters on his campaign
mailers. In Greenberg’s brief, he mentioned that “most if not all” of his supporters were
listed correctly. That, in and of itself, is a virtual concession that this was not a provably
false statement. Greenberg’s deposition testimony also indicates this was not false. Third,
Kuykendall characterized one of Greenberg’s campaign mailers as “extraordinarily
misleading” and “hatefully dishonest” because it accused Hutchinson of lobbying for new
taxes. The evidence reflects that Kuykendall investigated whether Hutchinson had lobbied
for new taxes and determined that he had not. Thus, there is evidence tending to show
that this was a subjective determination and not provably false. Additionally, these
statements included clear hyperbolic language. Therefore, none of these statements are
defamatory.
The fourth and final statement that we must examine is Kuykendall’s remark that
Greenberg’s use of the same office for legislative and campaign headquarters “appears to be
a violation of Arkansas campaign ethics.” In oral argument, Greenberg asserted that this
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statement serves as the crux of his case. An ethics complaint was lodged by a citizen against
Greenberg apparently as a result of this column. Greenberg was ultimately cleared of any
wrongdoing. However, we must consider the statement in the context of whether the
words “appears to be” made this statement incapable of being proved true or false. This
distinction depends on whether Kuykendall gave an opinion rather than an assertion of fact.
If an opinion implies an assertion of fact, it is a statement for purposes of a defamation claim.
Milkovich, 497 U.S. at 19. Here, we hold that Kuykendall’s statement does not imply an
assertion of fact. She set forth the facts that led to her conclusion that Greenberg had
committed an ethics violation. Her conclusion is based on her subjective determination
from the evidence before her, and her subjective determination is not provable as true or
false.
With regard to the Fourth Editorial, Kuykendall makes no new statements about
Greenberg, and accordingly, nothing in the Fourth Editorial is provable as false. Without
any assertions of fact that are provably false, Greenberg’s claim for defamation cannot survive
summary judgment.
V. Damages
Because we hold that the defamation claim cannot go forward, we need not address
whether there is a material question of fact regarding whether Greenberg was damaged by
the editorials.
VI. Conclusion
There is insufficient evidence to create a material question of fact with regard to
whether appellees had actual malice toward Greenberg and whether the statements made in
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the editorials were false and defamatory. Accordingly, the circuit court’s order granting
summary judgment in favor of appellees is affirmed.
Affirmed.
GLADWIN and GLOVER, JJ., agree.
Taylor & Taylor Law Firm, P.A., by: Andrew M. Taylor and Tasha C. Taylor, for
appellant.
Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC, by: John E. Tull III and Everett C. (Clark) Tucker
IV, for appellees.
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