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Quote:
Originally Posted by jal300
I never said they cannot be actionable. Just like I cannot say every accusation that turns out to be false is in fact a false accusation that would be deemed defamatory.
"It was my opinion when I said it", which was the thing you said, is not a cognizable defense to defamation in most jurisdictions. (A few jurisdictions, like New York, have a broader "opinion rule" that does cover that.)
In most states, if you say "in my opinion [private figure X] murdered his wife", and the following two things are true:
1. Private figure X did not murder his wife; and
2. The were sufficient facts available to you that a reasonable person in your position would conclude that private figure X did not murder his wife.
You are liable for defamation (and, indeed, defamation per se). And that is the case even if the statement was your honestly held opinion when you said it.