Collins v. Detroit Free Press, Inc

Defendants appeal by leave granted the trial court’s order denying their motion for summary disposition of plaintiff’s defamation action. We reverse and remand for further proceedings.

Plaintiff was the United States Representative for Michigan’s 15th Congressional District, located in Detroit. In 1996, plaintiff was seeking reelection to a fourth term, and she faced opposition in the August primary election. In May 1996, plaintiff was interviewed by defendant Ann Hazard-Hargrove, an employee of defendant States News Service in Washington, D.C. The interview was tape-recorded and transcribed.…