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

Yes, an individual can be liable for defamation if the statement was made on a website or blog in North Carolina. Defamation law in North Carolina requires that a person must make a statement that is both false and damaging to someone’s reputation. If a statement is posted on a website or blog, it is considered published and can be the basis of a defamation lawsuit. For a person to be held liable for defamation, the statement must be intentionally made with “malice” or with recklessness at the least. Malice means that the person making the statement was aware that the statement was false and intended to cause harm to the other person. Merely making a statement carelessly do not suffice for malice and a person may be able to escape liability. Individuals who have posted false and damaging statements on websites or blogs have been held liable for defamation in North Carolina. The court will look into the context and intent of the statement before making a judgment. If the individual is found to have posted a statement with reckless disregard for the truth, they can be held liable for defamation.

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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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