A Newspaper Runs a Column on the Editorial Page Once

A newspaper runs a column on the editorial page once a week written by Julie James.The column is entitled "My Opinion." One week,James writes a column about animals,such as cats and dogs,being stolen from people's yards and being sold to medical and cosmetic testing laboratories.The column includes information from police reports and statements from some people whose animals were stolen.The columnist makes clear that she thinks stealing animals for experimental purposes is a terrible thing to do.Then the column says,"Sam Jones,a deputy sheriff in Adams County,has received some of these animals and sold them to George Smith.Smith,in turn,sold them to the testing labs.While it is unclear whether Jones knew the animals were stolen,he knew that he was being a rotten and repulsive person,and dealing with people who-like himself-are among the lowest of the low." Jones brings suit for libel based on the words "rotten," "repulsive," and "lowest of the low." Assuming Jones can prove all the elements of the plaintiff's case,what is the newspaper's (and columnist's)one best defense? Will it be a successful defense? Why or why not?