Reply #12: A recent example is Ted Kennedy's supposed "love child" story

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which was published by the National Enquirer, claiming Sen. Kennedy had fathered a child back in 1985 with a MA woman.

The woman sued the Enquirer for libel and defamation of character. She likely had a winning case, as DNA tests proved the father of the child was not Teddy. Not surprisingly, the Enquirer chose to settle the matter for an undisclosed sum out of court.

http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071130/NEWS/711300316

http://wbztv.com/local/national.enquirer.kennedy.2.794647.html

Tabloids smearing the Kennedys is nothing new. But the Kennedys have every right (and in fact, a duty) to defend themselves against rumors and slanderous gossip being published as fact.

Of course, these laws don't just exist to protect public figures. Every citizen has the same right to defend their character.