online defamation
Internet character assassination
Online defamation is the act of damaging someone's reputation through false statements published on the internet—social media posts, blog comments, reviews, or forum threads.
The digital context matters legally because online statements spread faster and persist longer than traditional forms.
What constitutes defamation varies by jurisdiction, but the core elements remain: a false statement of fact, publication to others, and resulting harm to reputation.
She sued for online defamation after the viral thread accused her of fraud.
- libelPrinted defamation
- character assassinationDestroying someone's good name
- fake newsIntentionally deceptive media content
- cyberbullyingDigital intimidation of others
- harassmentAggressive, unwanted targeting
hate mob · public shaming · smear · troll · keyboard warrior · reputation · lawsuit · cease and desist · court order · anonymous · screenshot · viral · malicious · rumors · cancel · social media · doxing · toxic