What is considered a “public harm” that can give rise to a defamation claim?

In North Carolina, a “public harm” is an act or statement that has the potential to damage the reputation of an individual or group. Public harm can give rise to a claim of defamation, which is when someone publishes a statement that is false and injures a person’s reputation or causes them to be shunned and avoided by the public. This could be a statement made in a newspaper or magazine, posted online, or verbally broadcasted in a public setting. Examples of “public harm” that may give rise to a defamation claim in North Carolina include making false statements about a person’s character, falsely accusing someone of a crime, or making derogatory remarks about a person’s race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation. Additionally, if a person makes false claims that a business’s product or services are of poor quality or defective, this could also constitute “public harm” and give rise to a defamation claim. In order to win a defamation case in North Carolina, the injured party must prove that the statement was false and that they suffered damages as a result of the false statement. Specifically, they must demonstrate that the false statement damaged their reputation and caused them to suffer mental anguish or financial loss. If the injured party is successful, they may be entitled to financial compensation from the responsible party.

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What is considered a “public harm” that can give rise to a defamation claim?

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