False or unjustified injury of the good reputation of another, as by slander or libel.

DEFAMATION

Something is classed as defamatory if it:

• Lowers them in the estimation of sane members of the public

• Causes them to be shunned or avoided

Is derogatory • Exposes them to hatred, ridicule or

contempt

WHAT IS DEFAMATORY?

The law of defamation allows individuals, groups of individuals or

companies to sue for damages to their reputation.

They can sue companies or individuals for publishing material

which makes defamatory allegations.

DEFAMATION

• The Daily Mirror called Frankie Boyle a racist comedian in their paper. (£54,650 damages)

• Courtney Love accused her lawyer of being ‘bought off’ in a tweet.

(still in court)• Steel & Morris printed a pamphlet entitled “What’s wrong with McDonalds: Everything they don’t want you

to know”(£40,000 damages)

• Bauer Publishing Company printed that Tom Cruise “abandoned” his six year old daughter.

(£50,000,000 damages)

SOME EXAMPLES OF DEFAMATION

• By claiming that allegations are indeed true.• It was as a result of ‘responsible journalism’ in the public

interest.

HOW THE MEDIA GETS AROUND THE DEFAMATION

LAW