To recover for false light, what must the plaintiff prove regarding the defendant's actions?

To recover for false light, the plaintiff must demonstrate that the defendant placed them in a false light that would be highly offensive to a reasonable person. This tort arises when an individual is portrayed in a way that misrepresents their character, beliefs, or actions, causing damage to their reputation or emotional distress.

The key element in this tort is the concept of being placed in a false light, as it centers on the misleading portrayal rather than merely reporting facts or negligent behavior. The plaintiff's awareness of the false light is irrelevant to the claim; what matters is the nature of the light in which the defendant depicted the plaintiff. Therefore, proving that the defendant created a false impression that is offensive to a reasonable person is essential to establishing liability in a false light claim.