The New York Times is standing by its reporting on the legal battle between actors Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, following a $250 million defamation lawsuit filed by Baldoni against the newspaper. The lawsuit stems from a December 21st Times article that delved into allegations of a smear campaign against Lively, Baldoni's co-star in "It Ends with Us." Lively had previously sued Baldoni for sexual harassment and other claims, alleging he orchestrated a campaign to damage her career.
Baldoni and others featured in the Times article contend that the publication misrepresented their communications and omitted crucial context that refuted Lively's accusations. They claim this omission defamed them. The Times, however, maintains that its reporting was thorough and responsible, based on extensive documentation including text messages and emails central to Lively's discrimination claim.
Times spokeswoman Danielle Rhoades Ha emphasized the paper's commitment to factual reporting and its efforts to obtain comments from Baldoni and others prior to publication. She stated that the Times shared the information it planned to publish, including specific messages and documents, and invited them to identify inaccuracies or provide further context. Instead of engaging in direct conversation, they submitted a joint response, which the Times published in full. Rhoades Ha also corrected inaccuracies in the lawsuit, including the timing of the response and the report's word count, and highlighted that the text messages cited in the article were obtained directly from discovery.
Baldoni's attorney, Bryan Freedman, accused the Times of bowing to Hollywood pressure and manipulating information to favor Lively. He alleges the Times participated in a PR campaign to bolster Lively's image. Freedman insists they possess the complete communications to prove their case and trusts the public will ultimately discern the truth.
The Times has pledged to vigorously defend itself against the lawsuit. This case highlights the tension between journalistic integrity and the potential for defamation claims in high-profile disputes, particularly those involving powerful figures in the entertainment industry.
