Which of the following is NOT a recognized defense against defamation claims?

Negligence is not recognized as a valid defense against defamation claims. Defamation occurs when false statements are made about an individual that damage their reputation. The primary defenses against defamation include truth, privilege, and consent.

Truth is a complete defense, meaning if the statement made about someone is true, it cannot be considered defamatory regardless of the harm it may cause to that person's reputation. Privilege can refer to certain situations where a person is allowed to speak freely without fear of a defamation claim, such as statements made in judicial proceedings or legislative debates. Consent involves a situation where the person who is the subject of the defamation claim has agreed to the publication of the statement, thereby waiving their right to claim defamation.

Negligence refers to a failure to exercise reasonable care, which does not relate to the truthfulness of a statement nor to the defenses available in defamation cases. Therefore, it does not apply in the context of defamation defenses.