[MamaTexan]

If so, how could they proceed with this suit?

If the newspaper was restating an opinion of a man-on-the-street, I don't see how they have a case.

[Theodore R.]

If the newspaper was restating an opinion of a man-on-the-street, I don't see how they have a case.

That's what happened: the newspaper quoted a private citizen at a public meeting, as I understand it.