• A participant in a public controversy may be deemed a public figure for purposes of a defamation suit arising from the controversy. See PUBLIC FIGURE. [Cases: Libel and Slander 48(1). C.J.S. Libel and Slander; Injurious Falsehood §§ 91–92, 96, 98, 102–104.]
public controversy
A controversy involving issues that are debated publicly and that have substantial ramifica-tions for persons other than those engaged in it.