Collins v. Federated Publications, Inc. [1]

Timothy Collins, a former student of Purdue University, sued Federated Publications, publisher of the Journal & Courier newspaper, Purdue University, university officials, and others over allegedly defamatory statements in an article published on the newspaper's website [2], in anonymous comments to that article, and on Facebook. 

According to court documents, the dispute revolved around a Journal & Courier article, "Student Who Reported Mugging Charged," which stated that Collins had been charged with misdemeanor false informing in connection with the investigation of the disappearance of another Purdue student.  Comments posted to the article and on Facebook allegedly linked Collins to the disappearance.  The complaint included claims for libel, false light, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligent infliction of emotional distress.  

Federated Publications moved for judgment on the pleadings, and the court granted dismissal of all claims against it.  The court found that claims based on certain statements were barred by the statute of limitations, that Collins failed to make out a claim for intentional or negligent infliction of emotional distress, that the Journal & Courier article was substantially true, and that Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act protected Federated for claims based on its users' comments.