What is defamation?

Defamation is a legal term that refers to a type of harm caused by someone making false statements about another person or entity. It is a civil wrong, meaning that if someone is found to have made defamatory statements they may be required to pay damages to the person or entity they harmed. In Kansas, defamation is defined as the intentional publication of false information about another person, that causes harm or damage to that person’s reputation. It can be made in spoken words, written words, or images. It is important to note that an opinion is not defamation, rather the false statement must be presented as a fact. The most common types of defamation in Kansas are libel and slander. Libel refers to the false statement being written, often found in a newspaper, book, or other published content. Slander refers to when a false statement is spoken, such as an interview or statement during a public proceeding. If a court rules in favor of the person harm by the false statement, then the person who made the statement may be responsible for compensating the other person for any monetary losses, pain and suffering, or legal fees associated with the ruling. It is important to note that defamation claims can be difficult to prove, and even tougher to win in court.

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What is defamation?

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