Can an individual be liable for defamation if the statement was made on a website or blog?

Yes, an individual can be held liable for defamation if a statement was made on a website or blog. Under California law, defamation is a false statement published to a third party, including on social media and websites. California courts have ruled that defamatory remarks made on websites can lead to a lawsuit for defamation. In California, to prove defamation, a plaintiff must show that a defendant published a statement about the plaintiff that was false, unprivileged and caused injury. In addition, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant acted with at least negligence—that the defendant failed to exercise reasonable care in communicating the statement. In the situation of a website or blog, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant published the false statement to a third party, and that it caused the plaintiff harm. Similarly, the plaintiff must also show that the defendant acted recklessly or negligently in publishing the statement. It is important to note that if a statement of opinion, rather than fact, is published, it is deemed non-actionable, and therefore will not lead to a defamation lawsuit. In conclusion, an individual can be held liable for defamation of character if a false statement is made on a website or blog. The plaintiff must be able to prove that the statement was false, unprivileged, and caused harm to the plaintiff, as well as that the defendant acted recklessly or negligently in publishing the statement.

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Can an individual be liable for defamation if the statement was made on a website or blog?

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