Can a statement made on a website be considered defamatory?

Yes, a statement made on a website can be considered defamatory. Defamation law in Delaware states that anyone making a false statement that harms another person’s reputation, either in writing, orally, or online, can be considered defamatory. Online defamation, sometimes called “cyber-libel”, occurs when someone makes a false statement about someone or something on a website. The statement can be written, or posted in a podcast, video, or picture. In Delaware, a statement must meet certain criteria to be considered defamatory. It must be false, unprivileged, and must be communicated to a third party. The person making the statement must have intended to harm the reputation of the person or entity being mentioned. Additionally, the statement must have caused or be likely to cause actual harm or pecuniary loss to the person or entity mentioned. Lastly, it’s important to remember that certain types of statement are considered privileged, meaning that the statement is immune from a defamation suit. Examples of statements that are considered privileged are those resulting from legislative or judicial proceedings, communications between spouses, or statements made for political discussion or debate.

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Can a statement made on a website be considered defamatory?

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