Barilla v. Meredith Corp.

—Order unanimously reversed on the law with costs, motion granted and complaint dismissed. Memorandum: Plaintiff commenced this defamation action alleging that defendant, a Syracuse television station, had falsely reported on the 6:00 p.m. news that plaintiff had been charged with rape. Supreme Court erred in denying defendant’s motion for summary judgment. Defendant met its initial burden of showing that the broadcast did not contain the words alleged by plaintiff, thereby shifting the burden to plaintiff to demonstrate the existence of a triable issue of fact (see, Zuckerman v City of New…