Defamation FAQ
What is “defamation”?
Answer: Defamation is a false statement made about someone that causes harm to their reputation or character. It can come in the form of written or spoken words (libel) or gestures and actions (slander).
What is “slander”?
Answer: Slander is a form of defamation that involves making false, spoken statements about a person that harm their reputation or character. Slander is different from libel, which involves making false written or published statements.
What is “libel”?
Answer: Libel is a form of defamation that involves making false written or published statements about a person, which harm their reputation or character. Libel is different from slander, which involves making false spoken statements.
Can I sue someone who says or writes something defamatory about me?
Answer: Yes, you can sue someone for making a defamatory statement about you. However, it’s important to keep in mind that in order to win a defamation suit, you must prove that the statement was false and caused you harm. Additionally, the laws regarding defamation can vary depending on jurisdiction, so it is best to consult a lawyer familiar with the specific laws in your area.
Suing someone for defamation can be a complex and costly legal process, so it is important to consider carefully whether a lawsuit is the best course of action. Alternative options, such as seeking a retraction or correction of the false statement, may be more appropriate in some cases.
What is a “privileged” statement?
Answer: A privileged statement is a statement that is protected from being considered defamatory, even if it would otherwise be considered false and damaging. There are two main types of privilege: absolute privilege and qualified privilege.
1. Absolute privilege: This type of privilege applies to statements made in certain contexts where the speaker is entitled to complete immunity from defamation liability, regardless of their intent or motive. Examples of contexts where absolute privilege applies include statements made in the course of legislative proceedings, statements made by judges and other judicial officers in the course of a legal proceeding, and statements made by diplomats.
2. Qualified privilege: This type of privilege applies to statements made in certain circumstances where the speaker has a legitimate interest in making the statement and the recipient has a corresponding interest in receiving it. For example, statements made in the course of a job reference or statements made by a person in the performance of a public duty. In these cases, the privilege is qualified, meaning that it can be lost if the speaker acts with actual malice (i.e., with the intent to harm) or if the statement is made recklessly or with gross negligence.
Can libel suits be brought by a public figure?
Answer: Yes, a public figure can bring a libel lawsuit. However, the legal standards for proving libel are higher for public figures, as they are considered to have a greater degree of access to the media and therefore have a greater ability to defend their reputation. In order to win a libel suit, a public figure must show that the false statement was made with “actual malice,” meaning the defendant knew the statement was false or recklessly disregarded the truth.
Can I sue a website for libel?
Answer: Yes, you can sue a website for libel if the content on the website makes false statements about you that harm your reputation or character. In order to win a libel suit against a website, you must prove that the statements are false and have caused you harm.
It is important to note that websites may have immunity from libel suits under certain circumstances, such as if they are acting as a platform for third-party speech. Additionally, the laws regarding libel can vary depending on jurisdiction, so it is best to consult a lawyer familiar with the specific laws in your area.
Don’t people have a First Amendment right to say whatever they want?
Answer: The First Amendment to the United States Constitution protects the right to freedom of speech, but it is not absolute. There are certain types of speech, such as obscenity, incitement to immediate lawless action, and false statements that cause harm, that are not protected. Defamatory statements, which are false statements that harm a person’s reputation or character, are not protected by the First Amendment. In other words, while people have the right to express their opinions and share information, they are not protected from the legal consequences if their speech causes harm to others through defamation.
Aren’t people entitled to their opinions?
Answer: The “opinion doctrine” is a defense to a defamation claim that argues that a statement is not a statement of fact, but instead is an expression of the speaker’s opinion. Under U.S. law, statements of opinion are generally protected by the First Amendment and cannot be the basis for a defamation claim. The opinion doctrine defense is based on the idea that people should be free to express their opinions and perspectives, even if those opinions are critical or harsh.
In order to determine whether a statement is a statement of fact or an opinion, courts will consider factors such as the language used, the context in which the statement was made, and whether the statement can be proven true or false. If a statement is deemed to be an opinion, the defendant cannot be held liable for defamation, even if the statement may be offensive or harmful to the plaintiff’s reputation. If a statement is deemed to be a statement of fact, the plaintiff must prove that it is false and has caused harm to their reputation in order to win a defamation lawsuit.
How can I find out who is posting disparaging comments about me on the Internet?
Answer: There are a few steps you can take to try to find out who is posting disparaging comments about you on the Internet:
1. Search for the comments: Start by searching for your name, or keywords related to the comments, on various search engines such as Google or Bing.
2. Check social media platforms: Look for the comments on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
3. Review websites or forums: If the comments are posted on a specific website or forum, try to locate the source of the comments by reviewing the website’s or forum’s terms of service, privacy policy, or user agreement.
4. Consider legal action: If you believe that the comments are defamatory, you may want to consider taking legal action to obtain a court order to identify the person or entity responsible for the comments.
It’s important to keep in mind that finding the source of online comments can be challenging, as many people use anonymous or pseudonymous identities online. Additionally, websites and online platforms may have different policies regarding the release of user information, so it is best to consult a lawyer for guidance on the specific laws in your area.
Can I sue for defamatory statements made by a witness under oath in court?
Answer: In the United States, witnesses are generally protected from liability for their testimony in court proceedings under the doctrine of absolute immunity. This means that witnesses are generally immune from being sued for statements made during their testimony, even if those statements are false and defamatory.
However, there are some exceptions to this rule, such as when a witness makes a statement that is not related to the subject matter of the lawsuit, or when the witness makes a statement outside of the courtroom that is not part of their official testimony. In these cases, the witness may be held liable for any defamatory statements they make.
Are news reporters and their statements protected against libel and/or slander claims?
Answer: Yes, news reporters and their statements are protected against libel and slander claims to some extent, but the exact level of protection can vary depending on the jurisdiction and the specific facts of the case. In the United States, the First Amendment provides broad protection for freedom of speech and freedom of the press, and this protection extends to news reporters and the statements they make in their reporting.
However, the First Amendment does not protect all statements made by news reporters, and reporters can be held liable for defamation if they make false statements that harm the reputation or character of others. In order to determine whether a statement is protected under the First Amendment, courts will consider factors such as the context in which the statement was made, the public importance of the information, and whether the reporter acted with actual malice or reckless disregard for the truth.
In general, news reporters have a higher level of protection against libel and slander claims than private individuals, but it is important to keep in mind that the laws regarding defamation can vary from state to state, and that the protection provided to news reporters can be limited in certain circumstances.
Is there liability for publishing fake news?
Answer: Yes, there can be liability for publishing fake news. False statements of fact that harm the reputation of another person or entity can be the basis for a defamation claim, regardless of whether the false information was published by a news organization or an individual. Additionally, false statements made with actual malice or reckless disregard for the truth can be the basis for a claim for defamation even if the false statement does not harm the reputation of another person or entity.
What kinds of damages can I win from a defamation lawsuit?
Answer: In a defamation lawsuit, a person can recover damages that are divided into two categories: actual and compensatory.
Actual damages refer to actual monetary losses suffered by the plaintiff as a result of the defamation, such as loss of income, loss of business opportunities, or loss of reputation.
Compensatory damages refer to non-monetary losses suffered by the plaintiff, such as emotional distress, mental anguish, or loss of dignity.
In some cases, the plaintiff may also be awarded punitive damages, which are intended to punish the defendant for their actions and to deter similar behavior in the future.
It’s important to note that the ability to recover damages and the amount of damages awarded can vary based on the jurisdiction and the specific circumstances of the case.
What are the alternatives to a defamation lawsuit?
Answer: There are several alternatives to a defamation lawsuit that a person can consider when seeking to address false or harmful statements about them:
1. Correction or Retraction: If the source of the defamatory statement is willing to cooperate, a correction or retraction can be published to counteract the false information.
2. Cease and Desist Letter: A cease and desist letter is a formal demand that the person or entity stop making defamatory statements.
3. Mediation or Arbitration: Mediation and arbitration are alternative dispute resolution methods that allow the parties to resolve the issue outside of court with the help of a neutral third party.
4. Reputation Management: A person can engage in reputation management by promoting positive information and content about themselves online to counteract the effects of the false or harmful statements.
5. No Legal Action: In some cases, a person may choose not to take legal action and instead focus on moving forward and repairing their reputation through other means.
It’s important to consider the specific circumstances of each case and to consult with an attorney to determine the best course of action.
What is the cost of a defamation lawsuit?
Answer: The cost of a defamation lawsuit can vary widely depending on several factors, such as the complexity of the case, the jurisdiction, the availability of legal counsel, and the type of damages sought.
Typically, the cost of a defamation lawsuit can range from several thousand dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars or more. This includes legal fees, court costs, expert witness fees, and other expenses related to the litigation.
What else should I consider before filing a defamation lawsuit?
Answer: It’s important to note that even if a person wins a defamation lawsuit, they may not recover all of their expenses. In some cases, the defendant may not have the financial means to pay the damages award, and collecting on a judgment can be a time-consuming and expensive process.
Because of the potential high cost and uncertain outcome, it’s advisable for individuals to consider alternative methods for resolving a defamation issue, such as mediation or reputation management, before proceeding with a lawsuit.
Is there a time limit to file a defamation claim?
Answer: Yes, there is a time limit, also known as a statute of limitations, for suing for defamation. The statute of limitations is the time period within which a lawsuit must be filed, after which the right to sue is barred.
In Georgia, there is a one-year (1) time limit to file a defamation claim. However, that statute of limitations may be tolled (i.e., temporarily suspended) under certain circumstances, such as when the person making the defamatory statement is unknown or when the plaintiff only discovered the statement after the statute of limitations had expired.