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 the state of Washington. This is because the law in Washington considers websites and blogs to be a form of publication. Under Washington state law, defamation is defined as a false statement that causes harm to a person’s reputation. In order to determine whether a statement qualifies as defamation, the statement must involve a false fact rather than an opinion. In Washington, a plaintiff (the person alleging defamation) has to prove that the statement caused him or her harm, whether it’s financial or reputational. If the plaintiff succeeds in proving this, then the website or blog owner will be liable for defamation if he or she was the author of the false statement. However, if the website or blog owner can prove that the statement was not their fault, such as if it was posted by a third party, then the owner of the website or blog may not be liable for defamation. In summary, an individual can be liable for defamation if the statement was made on a website or blog in the state of Washington as long as the statement is found to be false and has caused a tangible harm. The website or blog owner may not be liable if they can prove the statement was not their fault.

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