Are there legal repercussions for posting false or defamatory information on social media?

In Tennessee, posting false or defamatory information on social media can lead to legal repercussions. According to the Tennessee Supreme Court, a person may be found libelous if they post a false statement that “tends to injure a person’s reputation through the exposure of the person to hatred, contempt, ridicule or disgrace.” The person who is being defamed may choose to sue the person who made the false statement for libel. If the person is successfully sued, they may owe damages for the harm done to the defamed person’s reputation. Further, in Tennessee, if the person publishes the same false statement again after being warned of the potential for legal repercussions, they could be found in contempt of court and face additional legal penalties. Additionally, a person who posts false or misleading content about a business may be found guilty of false advertising under Tennessee law. This type of crime can result in fines and other punishments, such as being forced to take down the offending post. In short, posting false or defamatory information on social media in Tennessee can lead to legal repercussions. Those who do so should be aware that they may potentially be sued for libel or found guilty of false advertising. Furthermore, if they repeat their false statement after being warned of the potential for legal repercussions, they may be found in contempt of court and face additional legal penalties.

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Are there legal repercussions for posting false or defamatory information on social media?

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