Alex Jones was fined over $1 billion for defaming Sandy Hook parents. I don't know the details, but I believe the essence of the case is that he claimed certain individuals were involved in a conspiracy.
Could Jones have avoided a lawsuit if he had prefaced his claims with any of the following?:
- I believe (so and so was part of a conspiracy).
- I think . . .
- In my opinion . . .
- Many people believe . . .
- There is evidence to suggest . . .
I thought these would all be protected as free speech, but I read somewhere that the words "in my opinion" are no defense against defamation lawsuits.
