What is Libel?

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Libel is a published or fixed form of defamation of character; a civil wrong that falsely impugns the reputation or character of a person or entity, opening the target up to public scorn or ridicule. Libel might appear in a magazine, book, newspaper, or in a radio or television broadcast. Signs, billboards or posters can also be mediums for libel. Online libel, or cyberlibel takes electronic forms such as email, mailing lists, newsgroups, chat rooms, podcasts, vodcasts and Web pages. A false charge that is uttered but not published is considered slander.

Libel involves false statements knowingly presented as fact. In the United States opinion is protected as a tenant of freedom of speech, falling outside the purview of libel. Citizens retain the right to comment on public figures and entities, including government and officials. Entertainment, parody, editorials and criticisms that may arguably misrepresent facts are not libelous so long as they are presented for amusement or stated as mere opinion.

Public figures must also meet a higher standard for proving libel than private citizens. Private citizens need only prove negligence, while public figures must show malice.

According to legal experts, one key reason for this seeming double standard is that unlike private citizens, public figures have access to the media. This assures celebrities, government officials and other high-profile figures a public forum for addressing publicized false statements. It is also understood that a public figure is a source for comment and criticisms. Those entering into public life must accept this as part and parcel of celebrity.

In recent years cyberlibel has become an issue. Although many citizens do not yet realize it, comments made to chat boards, newsgroups and even mailing lists are all forms of publication. Criticisms of companies or their goods can be a basis for libel charges if the poster misrepresents facts or fails to qualify his or her post as opinion. Businesses recognize the power of the Internet. Word-of-mouth becomes exponential when comments are posted to a worldwide medium.

To help protect yourself from libel charges, keep a log of all contact(s) you have with a company or person over any potential disagreement. Try to work things out amicably. If compelled to spread the word about a poor experience, avoid exaggeration. Stick to facts and if making a generalization based on your experience, be sure to state it is as your opinion.

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Posted by: angelbaby9
I am hoping someone can help me. I have a situation involving the police department and a clerical error that has put a Fraud charge on my criminal record. The police department admitted that the woman that accused me of this made a false police report, but yet the police department will not remove this charge from my record. The police department lied about how they received the information because I did my own research into this matter. I am wondering if I have grounds to sue for defamation of character. I am an accountant and can you see how this directly affects my line of work. The weird thing about all of this is how the police officer became very nervous about the letter that I was not supposed to receive in the mail and stole the letter from my hands and will not give it back. I have followed the chain of command and have spoken with all departments that I was referred to. Nothing. So, do I have grounds or not? Please help! If you need more details, I will be glad to answer them.
Editor's reply: This is clearly a very delicate situation. I hope that there are some wiseGEEK users who can help, but it seems that seeking legal counsel would be wise. You may want to contact your local Bar Association for referrals to lawyers who do pro bono consulting for this kind of thing. Good luck!
Posted by: babygirl
I got accused of having a relationship with one of the clients where I work. The clients are like 17 and younger and we all know not to have a relationship with them. We can be friends with them and stuff. So Saturday I got pulled into the office and got told that they're suspending me for three days. I was like what's going on what did I do? All that they could tell me was that they saw one of the clients picture on my phone I was like because he had it and that was before I knew we weren't allowed to take pictures and I forgot to delete them. They said well you're being really friendly to him. I was like what you want me to be a jerk to him? I let him borrow my ipod I let everybody borrow my ipod. So they're doing an investigation on it and when it comes up clean I'm suing them for every cent they got. For False Accusation.

Posted by: tsclbrcc
I have an ex girlfriend that is claiming I broke into her email and sent nude pictures of her to all her email contacts. She is now saying she is gonna sue me for defamation of character. Does she have any legal recourse. I didnt hack into her email. And the supposed pictures were sent from her email, not mine.
Posted by: anon3621
Hello, i have recently been accused of threating someone at works life. This did not happen and the individual is just trying to get me fired. We have a very strict no violence policy at my job.I have been confronted by my operations manager, Safety and training manager, and the head of human resources at the corporate level. He typed a whole page of accusations, including that I not only threatened his life once but twice, and that he now "fears for his life from me". This did not happen and i have witness to the fact. I feel that this has defamed my character, and has libeled me. He can't be allowed to get away with this type of trouble. Please help What are my legal recourses for this type of behavior?
Posted by: Mariki
Hello,

I'm hoping I can get some help. I use to show dogs for a living. I handled for these 2 women for about 1 year. One had pugs, the other had Basenjis and Italian Greyhounds. Unfortunately the pug died. The dog of Natural causes, due to genetic defect stated by the vet. Both clients wanted their dogs back. They all went home. I find 2 months later that this women created a web site that is False, very hurtful and deceitful. She makes false accusations of her dogs being unhealthy ect.Well before flying them back you need a Health certificate in order to ship dogs. Went to vet and all dogs passed with clean health bill. She also posts pictures of her dogs with me in the picture "claiming that her dogs are sick and skinny"; while winning awards. In the dog show world if your dog is out of condition etc, you will just not win. I have starting losing client more, and more. My reputation is completely ruined. I can no longer get clientele due to these false accusations posted on her web site. I was wondering if If I have legitimate case for slander and libel.And where I could go to seek further help?

Posted by: Shelby
Hello, here is my situation...

I have found out recently through someone I have just met that my husbands ex-wife has been writing (emailing) the following things about me. He has shared this info with me as he feels that she is not being truthful and thought I should know, and he also wants to know if she is lying to him.

Here is a copy and paste of her email to him about me...

She had an affair with a married man (My husband at the time was separated from her, and they had an understanding they were both moving on with their lives) She moved into a married families home.

(She had agreed to move out of the house before my husband (boyfriend at the time) and I moved in - long story short, it ended up taking her 2 years to get out of the basement suite - she had no intention of moving apparently and we had to do it with a court order. The whole time she lived there she never paid rent, mortgage, utilities etc.) She slept on and still does have all the furniture etc from the above mentioned marriage. (only a few items, and that would have been what my husband got in the settlement of the divorce, so I don't see the problem) She moved to a city on the pretence of working and got fired 2 months later (not true) She introduces my kid as her son (never have, always as my husbands son)

She called the school on numerous occasions trying to find out how my kid was doing at school. (myself and his father did, as she was withholding this information illegally from his dad, I think this was a good thing for us to do) She orders stuff on line and then has it sent to peoples homes in their names (not true, I don't even know what she is talking about) She walks past and stalks the other person who was married to her now husband. (She works in a mall that has the grocery store and telus store I go to, is that really a problem, and no I do not stalk her) She treats my kid like crap and lies through her teeth to people we know. (Very much a lie) Every pet she has ever had has gotten really sick and died (again a huge lie) She scared my x by telling him that he will come home and find the dog boiling in the pan, and yes he told me that. (ya, and this one, this is just crazy, and no my husband has never talked to her, let alone talk about something like this)

The list goes on and on and on. I am so sorry to tell you all this but you keep asking me about her and I have been quiet for the last 6 months that we have been chatting so I thought it was about time to tell you.

So there is a small example of what this woman has been writing about me. It enrages me to say the least, and I want to know if there is anything legally I can do about this, or what other steps I should take. My new friend has said they would not mind losing her as a friend if this is true, and I have to confront her with it.

So what is your verdict. Thanks, Shelby


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