Actually, technically, they are Arbitrators. As far as the televisions "judges" I have heard or read about, they were all former or active judges at the time they accepted their television contracts.

Not that any of that matters, except that they probably know basic law, and the law about defamation being discussed here is pretty basic.

And yes, I agree that it is very difficult to prove in court that a statement caused a loss of reputation that actually damaged the plaintiff, unless there is a demonstrable economic loss, such as loss of business revenue or termination of employment.

Michael Siskin