Legal Definitions - defames

To defame someone means to make a false statement about them to a third party that harms their reputation. This can involve spoken words (known as slander) or written words, images, or other published material (known as libel). The key elements are that the statement must be untrue, communicated to others, and cause damage to the person's standing or good name.

• Example 1: False Online Review
  A disgruntled former employee posts a review on a popular website falsely claiming that their previous employer's restaurant uses expired ingredients and has unsanitary kitchen conditions. This act defames the restaurant owner because the former employee made false, damaging statements about the business's practices to the public (a third party). If these statements cause customers to avoid the restaurant, it directly harms the owner's reputation and potentially their livelihood.

• Example 2: Spreading a False Rumor
  During a local election campaign, one candidate falsely tells several community members that their opponent was previously convicted of embezzlement, even though the opponent has a clean record. The candidate defames their opponent by spreading an untrue accusation of a serious crime to others. This false statement is likely to damage the opponent's public image and trustworthiness, potentially influencing voters against them.

• Example 3: Misleading Professional Publication
  A research scientist publishes an article in a scientific journal falsely accusing a rival scientist of fabricating data in their published studies, without any evidence to support the claim. The publishing scientist defames their rival by making a false and serious accusation of professional misconduct in a public forum. Such an accusation, if untrue, can severely damage the rival's professional reputation, credibility, and career prospects within the scientific community.