In cases of defamation involving public concern, what additional elements must the plaintiff prove?

In defamation cases involving public concern, the plaintiff must prove two essential elements: falsity and fault.

Falsity refers to the requirement that the statement made is not true. To establish a defamation claim, especially in matters of public concern, the plaintiff must demonstrate that the statement at issue is false. This is critical because statements that are true, no matter how damaging they may be to an individual's reputation, are not actionable as defamation.

The second element, fault, calls for the plaintiff to demonstrate some degree of fault on the part of the defendant in making the false statement. This typically means showing that the defendant acted with at least negligence, or in some cases, actual malice. Actual malice involves a showing that the defendant knew the statement was false or acted with reckless disregard for the truth. However, at the minimum, the plaintiff must establish some fault to recover damages, illustrating a higher standard when the matter in question is of public concern, as public figures often bear a greater burden in proving defamation to incorporate an element of free speech considerations.

Therefore, focusing on falsity and fault is fundamental to a defamation claim within public concern contexts, making this answer correct.