"The verdict comes amid heightened attacks on scientists working on climate change, vaccines and other issues."

"Michael Mann, a prominent climate scientist, won his long-standing legal battle against two right-wing bloggers who claimed that he manipulated data in his research and compared him to convicted child molester Jerry Sandusky, a major victory for the outspoken researcher.

A jury in a civil trial in Washington on Thursday found that the two writers, Rand Simberg and Mark Steyn, defamed and injured the researcher in a pair of blog posts published in 2012, and awarded him more than $1 million.

“I hope this verdict sends a message that falsely attacking climate scientists is not protected speech,” Mann said in a statement.

Mann’s victory comes amid heightened attacks on scientists working not just on climate change but on vaccines and other issues. But the case was one that some critics worried could have a stifling effect on free speech and open debate in science."

Dino Grandoni reports for the Washington Post February 8, 2024. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"Michael Mann, a Leading Climate Scientist, Wins His Defamation Suit" (New York Times) [3]

"Jury Awards Climate Scientist Michael Mann $1 Million In Defamation Lawsuit" (AP) [4]

"Climate Scientist Wins Defamation Case Against Conservative Writers" (Axios) [5]