Synonymous with libel and slander.

it is an abusive attack on a person's character or good name or reputation.

Defamation includes calumny – the utterance of maliciously false statements with an intention to injure another person's reputation.

Published false and malicious information that tarnish a person's reputation.

Published information includes:

    Written words.

    Pictures.

    Videos

    Cartoons.

    Photo captions.

    Headlines.

    Tweets, memes, and other social media posts.

Spoken false and malicious information that tarnish a person's reputation.

or,

Oral communication of false statements injurious to a person's reputation.

Defamation exposes a person to:

     Hatred.

     Shame.

     Disgrace.

     Contempt.

     Ridicule.  

    Stigmatization.

Defamation suits (torts) are resolved by:

1. Summary judgment: Court determines judgment on case based on the facts at hand without going to trial.
2. Trial: Court rules that the case can go to trial.

Step 1: Identification: Can the plaintiff be identified in the defamatory information?

Step 2: Assertion of facts: Is the information defamatory?

Step 3: Falsity Is the information false?

Step 4: Fault: Public figures have to prove actual malice. Private citizens only have to prove             negligence.

Step 5: Damages: Defendant may be order to pay:

• Actual damages: Related to the damage done by the defamatory information.
• Punitive damages: Awarded in order to punish the defendant.
• Apology: Defendant may be ordered to offer an apology and/or retraction of the defamatory information.