Is a statement considered defamatory if it is made to a third party?

Yes, a statement can be considered defamatory even if it is made to a third party. This is because defamation is defined as a communication that harms a person’s reputation or causes financial or emotional damage. Whether the person the statement is about hears the statement or not, if it harms their reputation, it is considered defamatory. Washington State Defamation Law defines defamation as making false statements of fact (not opinion) to a third party that tend to injure a person’s reputation or business standing. The statement must be proved to be false and must have caused economic damage to the subject, or it must have harmed the subject’s good name, character, or personal or business reputations. If the statement meets this criteria, it is considered defamatory even if it was made to a third party. It is important to note that truth is an absolute defense to defamation. This means that if the statement is true, it cannot be considered to be defamatory. If the statement can be proven to be true and the person making it had reason to know it was true, then it is not considered defamatory. In conclusion, a statement can be considered defamatory if it is made to a third party. It must meet the criteria defined by Washington State Defamation Law; specifically, it must be false and must have caused financial or emotional damage to the subject.

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Is a statement considered defamatory if it is made to a third party?

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