The recent It Ends With Us lawsuits have brought a lesser known concept to light, “astroturfing.” With the increased media attention around the term, the legality behind the tactic came into question as it is not so concrete. Davis+Gilbert Public Relations partner and chair Michael Lasky was quoted extensively in a recent PRWeek article speaking on the legal complexity of astroturfing and when and how this practice may create liability.
Michael emphasizes that the logistics around what can be deemed as unlawful is determined by the information being disseminated. “Astroturfing itself is not embodied in any law as such, but the term has come up as a way to connote something that appears to be genuine when it’s not,” Michael states. “The court will look at the actual disseminations and see whether they were accurate and statements of fact. They’re only actionable if they are untrue.”
For more details on the legality behind astroturfing and Michael’s insights, read the full article below.