![]() Citizens-Sentinel Publishers, Inc., 260 N.Y. ![]() Facts do not cease to be facts because they are mixed with the fair and expected comment of the story teller who adds to the recital a little touch of his piquant pen. Mere exaggeration, slight irony or wit, and all those delightful touches of style which go to make an article readable, do not push beyond the limits of fair comment. Criticism of so much of another's activities as are matters of public concern is fair, if the criticism, even though defamatory, is based on facts truly stated, free from imputations of corrupt or dishonest motives on the part of the person whose work is criticized, is an honest expression or the writer's real opinion or belief, and is not made solely for the purpose of causing hurt to the other. ![]() Merely to disagree, or to state that a claim is rejected would not be libelous. Whatever is written cannot be said to be libelous except something which decreases or lowers plaintiff in his professional character. It would not be a libel upon the plaintiff to say that the product of his pen was not good. Fair and legitimate criticism is always permitted upon any work to which the attention of the public has been invited. ![]() When the plaintiff thus submitted his professional work to the public and thereby appealed for its support and approval, he was bound to expect, with equal equanimity, praise or blame directed at the work itself. ![]()
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