Nebraska Revised Statutes

Neb. Rev. Stat. § 20-204 (2026)

Invasion of privacy; place person before public in false light

✓ current as of July 2026
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Any person, firm, or corporation which gives publicity to a matter concerning a natural person that places that person before the public in a false light is subject to liability for invasion of privacy, if:

(1) The false light in which the other was placed would be highly offensive to a reasonable person; and

(2) The actor had knowledge of or acted in reckless disregard as to the falsity of the publicized matter and the false light in which the other would be placed.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 16 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1987–2022 · leading case: Elbert v. Young, 977 N.W.2d 892 (Neb. 2022).
Elbert v. Young, 977 N.W.2d 892 (Neb. 2022). · cites it 2× “This argument fails because Elbert raises it for the first time on appeal, and an appellate court will not consider an argument or theory raised for the first time on appeal.”
Funk v. Lincoln-Lancaster Cty. Crime Stoppers, 885 N.W.2d 1 (Neb. 2016). · cites it 2× “Within twenty days after knowledge of the publication, plaintiff shall have given each defend­ ant a notice by certified or registered mail specifying the statements claimed to be libelous or to have invaded privacy as provided by section 20-204 and specifically requesting…”
Steinhausen v. HomeServices of Neb., 289 Neb. 927 (Neb. 2015). · cites it 2× “”76 Nitz and HomeServices respond that Steinhausen cannot maintain a false light invasion of privacy claim in addition to libel because both claims are based on the same statement.”
Nolan v. Campbell, 690 N.W.2d 638 (Neb. Ct. App. 2004). · cites it 3× “§ 20-204 (Reissue 1997) provides that any person who gives publicity to a matter concerning a natural person that places that person before the public in a false light is subject to liability for invasion of privacy if (1) the false light in which the other was placed would be…”
Schoneweis v. Dando, 435 N.W.2d 666 (Neb. 1989). · cites it 4× “Section 20-204 provides: Any person, firm, or corporation which gives publicity to a matter concerning a natural person that places that person before the public in a false light is subject to liability for invasion of privacy, if: (1) The false light in which the other was…”
Poole v. Burlington N. R.R., 987 F. Supp. 753 (D. Neb. 1997). · cites it 10× “§§ 48-1101 to -1125 (Michie 1995); (3) constituted intentional infliction of emotional distress; and (4) constituted invasion of privacy by placing Poole before the public in a false light pursuant to Neb.Rev.Stat. § 20-204 (Michie 1995). (Filing 1 ¶¶ 1-3 and 63-89.”
Turner v. Welliver, 411 N.W.2d 298 (Neb. 1987). · cites it 2× “Neb. Rev. Stat. § 20-204 (Reissue 1983) provides as follows: Any person, firm, or corporation which gives publicity to a matter concerning a natural person that places that person before the public in a false light is subject to liability for invasion of privacy, if: (1) The…”
Wilkinson v. Methodist, Richard Young Hosp., 612 N.W.2d 213 (Neb. 2000). · cites it 5× “Finally, Wilkinson contends that he has stated a cause of action pursuant to § 20-204 on the basis that Methodist, Richard Young provided his insurance information to the daughter, the mother, the insurance company, and several hospital employees, thus placing him in a false…”
Wadman v. State, 510 N.W.2d 426 (Neb. Ct. App. 1993). · cites it 5× “1992), for (1) invasion of privacy under the provisions of Nebraska’s right of privacy law, specifically Neb. Rev. Stat. § 20-204 (Reissue 1991), and (2) intentional infliction of emotional distress.”
Jensen v. Sawyers, 2005 UT 81 (Utah 2005). “1987) (citing false light invasion of privacy as codified in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 20-204 (1983)); Romaine v.”
LaBenz Trucking, Inc. v. Snyder, 519 N.W.2d 259 (Neb. 1994). · cites it 2× “See Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 20-204 (Reissue 1991) and 20-211.”
Sand Livestock Sys., Inc. v. Svoboda, 756 N.W.2d 299 (Neb. Ct. App. 2008). · cites it 2× “The elements of a false light claim are found in Neb.Rev.Stat. § 20-204 (Reissue 1997), which provides: Any person, firm, or corporation which gives publicity to a matter concerning a natural person that places that person before the public in a false light is subject to…”
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