"The bottom line is it’s now not as easy for plaintiffs to recover in libel cases because of that threshold definition of libel."

" the New Mexico Supreme Court unanimously reversed this decision.

Clarifying the state's defamation law, the court concluded that one must lay out all elements of a defamation case – including evidence that communications damaged his or her reputation – before liability for defamation can be determined and damages awarded. The court found that the district court ruled correctly because Smith was never suspended or let go from his position at the church and did not demonstrate actual injury, the high court's opinion said.

"It’s a real advance for the news media to have this definition of the libel set out so clearly in this New Mexico Supreme Court case," Simmons said. "The bottom line is it’s now not as easy for plaintiffs to recover in libel cases because of that threshold definition of libel."

Source and Full Article
http://www.rcfp.org/browse-media-law-resources/news/nm-high-court-dismisses-priests-defamation-lawsuit