When you open your mouth and speak about someone, there is intent.
Whether you believe the words you speak or not is irrelevant. If you don't want to be accused of defamation, don't open your mouth and speak publicly about other people if you don't have confirmation of the truth of your words.
Is that how it works? So it's not safe to repeat anything you heard on the news? Or read online? Basically can't repeat anything that you didn't personally witness? So "the statement must have been made with knowledge that it was untrue or with reckless disregard for the truth" is not right? (or you have no idea of what you're talking about?)
Whether you believe the words you speak or not is irrelevant. If you don't want to be accused of defamation, don't open your mouth and speak publicly about other people if you don't have confirmation of the truth of your words.