In law, defamation—also called calumny, vilification, slander (for spoken words), and libel (for written or otherwise published words)—is the communication of a statement that makes a claim, expressly stated or implied to be factual, that may give an individual, business, product, group, government or nation a negative image. It is usually, but not always, a requirement that this claim be false and that the publication is communicated to someone other than the person defamed (the claimant).

In common law jurisdictions, slander refers to a malicious, false and defamatory spoken statement or report, while libel refers to any other form of communication such as written words or images. Most jurisdictions allow legal actions, civil and/or criminal, to deter various kinds of defamation and retaliate against groundless criticism. Related to defamation is public disclosure of private facts, which arises where one person reveals information that is not of public concern, and the release of which would offend a reasonable person. "Unlike [with] libel, truth is not a defense for invasion of privacy."

False light laws are "intended primarily to protect the plaintiff's mental or emotional well-being." If a publication of information is false, then a tort of defamation might have occurred. If that communication is not technically false but is still misleading, then a tort of false light might have occurred.

From Wikipedia under the GNU Free Documentation License
Fri Dec 4 12:04:58 2009

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neath the robes of the California State Supreme Court we ll name our first born Stare Decisis Nov 20 Bloomberg The California Supreme Court said Internet publishers can t be held liable if they post defamatory comments written by others a victory for online companies like Google Inc and Time Warner Inc s America Online Inc The court in a unanimous decision said

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From Yahoo Image Search: "Libel"
Wed Jul 22 20:08:41 2009

MISSION CITY LANTERN: Bailey and Libel per se
missioncitylantern.blogspot.com
MISSION CITY LANTERN: Bailey and Libel per se

James Rowen

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 18:13:00 GM

Bailey and . Libel. per se. Latest from Bailey, the frustrated putz. 1. You associate yourself with Hazel, a guy who threatens council members and police officers, and who calls the Mayor, "butt ugly," and you have the gal to write about ...

Guardian.co.uk: Trafigura's BBC libel case could be resolved today ...
blogs.journalism.co.uk
Guardian.co.uk: Trafigura's BBC libel case could be resolved today ...

Judith Townend

hu, 17 Dec 2009 10:29:40 GM

A resolution is expected in the high court today, for the . libel. action brought against BBC Newsnight by oil traders Trafigura, the Guardian reports. A hearing.

UK Libel Reform : This Blog Contains Caffeine
holycow.com
UK Libel Reform : This Blog Contains Caffeine

Melany Fulgham

hu, 24 Dec 2009 03:00:36 GM

UK . Libel. Reform. By Melany Fulgham on Dec 23, 2009 in General. I was going to write about this, but Science Based Pharmacy wrote it better. So you should just go there and read the article, and then sign this. ...

From Google Blog Search: "Libel"
Fri Jan 1 14:39:57 2010

Hertz puts brake on libel suit against analyst - Crain's New York Business
news.google.com
Hertz puts brake on libel suit against analyst

Crain's New York Business

A spokesman said Monday that Hertz dropped its libel lawsuit against Audit Integrity Inc., which in September listed the nation's largest car rental company ...

Hertz caves Reuters Blogs (blog)

Hertz drops defamation lawsuit against analyst Reuters



all 7 news articles »
Erste Bank to sue 2 former employees for libel - Aktualn .cz
news.google.com
Erste Bank to sue 2 former employees for libel

Aktualn .cz

Prague - Two former Austrian bankers, who are accusing the Erste Bank of channeling bribes to politicians and officials in Central and Eastern Europe, ...
Daily Telegraph wins libel case brought by daughter of Bernie Ecclestone - guardian.co.uk
news.google.com
Daily Telegraph wins libel case brought by daughter of Bernie Ecclestone

guardian.co.uk

Photograph: Gerry Penny/EPA The Daily Telegraph has today won a libel case brought by Petra Ecclestone, daughter of Formula 1 owner Bernie, over a report in ...

'Telegraph' wins Petra Ecclestone libel case Independent

Tamara Ecclestone: Jenson Button 'Doesn't Deserve to be F1 Champ' Bleacher Report

F1 : A busy day for Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone's two daughters F1SA



all 7 news articles »

From Google News Search: "Libel"
Wed Dec 2 18:38:58 2009

What libel/slander laws apply to a blog about an old workplace?
Q. I have just survived a terrible ordeal at my workplace. I am switching careers--switching to a whole new industry. I'd like to blog about the old job, but not mention the actual name of place or people, but use it caution and educate others about how to improve their own experience. I do not intend to libel/slander anyone, but I do intend to tell the truth--while protecting the identity of the guilty.
Asked by J - Fri Sep 18 20:51:03 2009 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. First off, your blog can be tracked to you by your new employer and could cost you your new job. Second, libel and slander have to be false. However, if they decide to sue you over it, it will get expensive even if you are in the right. You should also realize that someone might figure out what the place is, especially if you are identifiable on your blog. Write private journals about your experience, but don't make your comments public because it will come back to bite you. It doesn't really sound like you are educating anyone, since you didn't improve the situation, you had to change careers.
Answered by Libraryanna - Fri Sep 18 20:59:25 2009

what to do to claim libel against journalist?
Q. Hello, I have a question about what to if you have a libel claim against a journalist and a newspaper. I have written letters and sent them a petition with over 100 signitures asking for retraction and an apology from the journalist, Alexander Cockburn, for writing and printing an article that was stating opinion as fact without single backing source. I am not sure how to proceed now. I have gotten no reponce at all, not from the publication nor from the journalist. Can you advise me on what steps should be taken next?
Asked by Ekaterina - Thu Oct 1 18:16:30 2009 - - 4 Answers - 0 Comments

A. It would be good to talk with a lawyer if you have not already done so. Defamation is a tort that requires proof of a false statement against a person who is not a public figure. To succeed you also need to plead damages. I know of defamation cases where the plaintiff won and the jury awarded one dollar. It hardly seems worthwhile unless you fund the case out of your own pocket and do not care about the fact that you will end up paying your lawyer a bundle.
Answered by Thomas T - Thu Oct 1 18:27:11 2009

Is it considered "libel" to post non-factual information on the internet?
Q. It would appear that libel law in the states is less strict than in other countries, but it still seems to imply that you cant outright lie about someone. How does this apply to the current Presidential election, and the kinds of blatantly false accusation made here on Yahoo answers about certain candidates? Can someone be found libel if they make false accusation about a person on Yahoo Answers? In addition, how does this relate to the Community Guidelines?
Asked by djresteep - Sat Oct 25 16:32:53 2008 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. That is one reason the internet became so popular. Anyone can say anything they want to and get away with it. The laws only cover child porn and hacking.
Answered by BekindtoAnimals22 - Sat Oct 25 16:39:26 2008

From Yahoo Answer Search: "Libel"
Sun Dec 13 20:35:18 2009

In law, defamation (also called vilification, slander, and libel) is the communication of a statement that makes a false claim, expressively stated or implied to be factual, that may give an individual, business, product, group, government or nation a negative image. Slander refers to a malicious, false, and defamatory statement or report, while libel refers to any other form of communication such as written words or images. Most jurisdictions allow legal actions, civil and/or criminal, to deter various kinds of defamation and retaliate against groundless criticism.

Sourced

  • 'Tis slander, Whose edge is sharper than the sword, whose tongue Outvenoms all the worms of Nile.
  • King: So haply slander- Whose whisper o'er the world's diameter, As level as the cannon to his blank, Transports his poisoned shot- may miss our name And hit the woundless air.- O, come away! My soul is full of discord and dismay.