Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant speaks about his legacy following a life of public service, Jan. 8, 2020, in his office at the state Capitol in Jackson, Miss. On Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, a local news outlet that helped expose a wide-reaching public corruption scandal filed its defense against a defamation lawsuit brought by Bryant, the former Mississippi governor, with the news outlet arguing it engaged in constitutionally protected speech. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A local news outlet that helped expose a wide-reaching public corruption scandal has filed its first defense against a defamation lawsuit brought by former Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant, with the news outlet arguing it engaged in constitutionally protected speech.
