From the earliest days newspapers in this country published letters from readers.

Letters to the editor, and even op-ed pieces are favored by newspapers because they provide a way for readers to comment.

Today online reader generated comment surpasses the volume of traditional print letters. In terms of potential legal liability a distinction must be made between traditional letters to the editor and 3rd-party comments on newspapers’ websites.

The content of a letter will be evaluated legally by the same standards that apply for news reports and editorial comments.

If a reader submits a letter making charges against a public official that contains false and defamatory material, the newspaper may be sued.

Unlike Facebook and other online publishers protected from liability by federal law, newspaper publishers are not protected from liability for libel, invasion of privacy or copyright infringement for any material published in the paper.

Jay Bender, Columbia

Mr. Bender is an attorney representing the Chronicle and other SC newspapers