Donoghue v. Holyoke Transcript — Telegram PubLishing Co.

At the conclusion of the judge’s charge to the jury in this libel action, the plaintiff requested certain amplifying instructions to the effect (in summary) that printed words are actionable if they tend to prejudice the plaintiff in connection with his profession, trade or occupation. Lyman v. New England Newspaper Publishing Co., 286 Mass. 258, 261 (1934). Lynch v. Lyons, 303 Mass. 116, 118-119 (1939) (slander). Restatement (Second) of Torts § 573 & Comment c (1977). The judge thereupon gave the substance of the additional charge requested. The plaintiff’s appeal is nothing more than a…