Immuno Ag. v. J. Moor-Jankowski

[77 N.Y.2d 235 Page 239] Opinion OF THE COURT One year ago, applying what appeared to be settled law, we affirmed the dismissal of plaintiff's libel
action against the editor of a scientific journal, essentially for his publication of a signed letter to the editor on a subject
of public controversy. We concluded that there was no triable issue of fact as to the falsity of the threshold factual assertions
of the letter, that -- beyond those threshold factual assertions -- the letter writer's statements of opinion were entitled
to the absolute protection of the State and Federal constitutional free speech guarantees, and that charges of defendant's
deliberate incitement to have a defamatory letter published lacked factual foundation (Immuno AG. v Moor-Jankowski, 74 N.Y.2d
548).