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.

Related FAQs

What is the libel law?
What is the impact of technological advances on media law?
What are "appropriation of likeness" and other privacy rights?
What are the responsibilities of public media outlets?
What is defamation?
What are the laws pertaining to advertising?
What is the doctrine of prior restraint?
How do local media outlets influence media law?
What restrictions are placed on foreign media owners?
How does the right to privacy affect the media?

What is defamation?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts