What are the laws regarding defamation in an online setting?

In Washington, libel and slander are two of the applicable laws regarding defamation in an online setting. Libel is defined as a written or printed false statement that injures someone’s reputation or defames their character. Slander is defined as a false spoken statement. However, Washington’s laws are complex and include certain requirements in order for a statement to be considered defamatory. To be considered a defamation, the false statement must be unprivileged, which means the statement was made without a special privilege, such as a speaker’s right to speak freely in a public setting. Additionally, the statement must be about an identifiable person or entity. It must also be a statement of fact, not an expression of opinion, and must be provably false. The false statement must also cause damages to the individual or entity in order to be considered defamatory. Damage can be in the form of economic losses, such as the loss of a job, or harm to the person’s or entity’s reputation. It is important to note that proof of damages is a requirement of a defamation claim, an individual cannot simply be upset about a false statement for it to be considered a legal violation. In Washington, libel and slander are civil offenses, which means that if one is found to have defamed another in an online setting, they may be ordered to pay damages to the injured party. It is important to be aware of the state’s defamation laws and to make sure that any statements made online are accurate and cannot be construed as defamatory.

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What are the laws regarding defamation in an online setting?

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