Defamation Defenses And Remedies
Firstly, what is defamation? A quick summary, there are two types of defamation: 1. Libel – This is defamation in a concrete form, i. ... Slander – This is an impermanent form of defamation i. ... In the code States “defamatory matter” is defined as: “any imputation concerning any person, or any member of his family, whether alive or dead, by which the reputation of that person is likely to be injured, or by which he is likely to be injured in his profession or trade, or by which other persons are likely to be induced to shun or avoid ridicule or despise him” Now, onto the defenses. ... Statutory Defense of innocent publication A publication can be liable for defamation, even though they didn’t intend or know of the situation surrounding a defamatory comment/article. ... Once an offeree accepts this, the matter is barred from future defamation actions. ... Damages Defamation actions are mainly to compensate for harm and injury caused to one’s reputation. ... A lot of defamation cases are settled out of courts, and journalists have to be very careful as not to publish defamatory claims which they cannot validate. Publication of a comment or information about a defamation case pending before the courts may be deemed a contempt of court. ... Another famous case, that made headlines last year, is the defamation case against writer and politician, Lord Jeffery Archer. ... Last year, it was found that Archer had lied in court about an alibi, and the defamation case has now been discharged.