General Question

luigirovatti's avatar

Is it true that, if you post something on the Internet that doesn't corrrespond to the facts, you can be denounced for defamation?

Asked by luigirovatti (2950points) September 15th, 2020

I just think that, having published my fair bit of things, I might be denounced, that’s all.

Observing members: 0 Composing members: 0

11 Answers

Tropical_Willie's avatar

Defamation is the oral or written communication of a false statement about another that unjustly harms their reputation and usually constitutes a tort or crime.

You figure it out.

zenvelo's avatar

We denounce you all the time, we’re just polite about it. Denouncement is just a critical statement.

Pandora's avatar

Did you write not corresponding to facts to indicate it’s a lie or storytelling? Because I’m no expert but I believe there is a difference in it. Like Henry (the Preacher) is a great fisherman. He must’ve caught 100’s of fish that day, verses Henry (the Preacher) does Satanic stuff with fishes. Both lies, but one meant to exaggerate Henry’s ability to fish and the other to defame him.

KNOWITALL's avatar

Nope, they put up a little fact check box and we all move on, but it makes some people feel better since they don’t have to research anything for themselves.

SergeantQueen's avatar

I think that only applies to statements about another person that you know.
Like if you post a bunch of things about how your friend who is a teacher slept with a student or something when you know that isn’t true.

I don’t think it applies like if you were to just post “COVID-19 isn’t real”

Tropical_Willie's avatar

COVID-19 is a thing not a person, if you harm someone’s reputation using an unjust statement that would be defamation.

SergeantQueen's avatar

@Tropical_Willie Yeah that’s what I said. It only applies to people

Jeruba's avatar

I could post “Up is down.” That doesn’t defame anyone or anything. It just makes me look like an idiot. Looking like an idiot isn’t illegal.

Response moderated (Writing Standards)
Call_Me_Jay's avatar

Anybody can denounce anybody else for any reason, good or bad, warranted or not. Sticks and stones… Whether it’s legally problematic or not is a different question.

In the US, you have to prove actual harm to successfully sue for damages. For example, you were a medical doctor and I published a false “expose” claiming you were not educated or licensed to practice.

stanleybmanly's avatar

I’m wondering what form or severity you anticipate in these denouncements. Are you talking mere disagreement our out and out persecution, recrimination, or bullying?

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