Law Dictionary

false light

noun

legal Definition of false light

: an untrue or misleading portrayal

unreasonably placed their family in a false light before the public
—Cantrell v. Forest City Publishing Co., 419 U.S. 245 (1974)

also : an invasion of privacy tort that is based on injury to the victim's reputation by such a portrayal (as in a publication) — compare defamation, libel, slander

Note: The false light cause of action is not recognized in all jurisdictions. Where it is recognized, the misrepresentation creating the false light does not need to be defamatory, but it must be offensive or objectionable to a reasonable person and made with knowledge of its inaccuracy.