In the publication of false light claims, what is a requirement in addition to being highly offensive?

In cases involving false light claims, an essential requirement beyond the element of being highly offensive to a reasonable person is that the matter must be widely disseminated. This means the false light portrayal must have been communicated to a substantial number of people, rather than just being an isolated incident or a comment made privately. This dissemination is critical because it transforms the offense into something that has a significant potential to harm the plaintiff’s reputation, which is the underlying concern of false light claims.

The requirement of wide dissemination serves to underscore the public nature of the false light claim, emphasizing the impact on the plaintiff’s public persona and societal standing. For a successful claim, it's not enough to show that a false impression could be offensive if communicated only to a few individuals; it must be shown that it reached a larger audience, thereby amplifying the potential harm.