defamation law
Reputation protection statutes
Defamation law is the body of legal rules governing false statements that harm someone's reputation.
It encompasses both libel (written defamation) and slander (spoken defamation).
Plaintiffs must typically prove the statement was false, published to others, and caused damage.
Public figures face a higher bar—they must also show actual malice: The celebrity's defamation lawsuit failed because she couldn't prove the tabloid acted with reckless disregard for the truth.
- maliceIntent to cause harm
- reputational harmDamage to standing
- actual maliceIntentional or reckless falsehood
- chilling effectDiscouragement through intimidation
- discovery processPretrial evidence-gathering procedure
court filing · disparagement · fair comment · public interest · retraction · appeals process · statute of limitations · burden of proof · falsity · summary judgment · judge · witness · damages · public figure · journalist · media outlet · smear · truth
- South African Lawconstitutional court, High Court, Bill of Rights, advocate, advocates
- lawlaw, lawyer, lawyers, attorney, attorneys
- legal systemsconstitutional law, judiciary, criminal code, court system, penal code
- African lawconstitutional court, indigenous law, high court, court of appeal, attorney general
- media lawlibel, media regulation, press laws, slander, free press
- courtsfamily court, civil court, district court, criminal court, circuit court
defamation lawfreedom of expression
Right to communicate ideas
press freedom · whistleblower protection · marketplace of ideas · censorship