What is libel? –
Introduction 👋
Libel is when a person’s writing contains false details about someone, that damages their good reputation.
It’s another confusing “grown-up word”, that you hear a lot in the news.
“Libelous statements” (false details/information) are usually found in writing, in things like blogs, social posts, or newspapers.
Libel, slander, or defamation? 🔊
Libel is a really similar word to both slander and defamation – what do they all mean?
Here are the differences –
Defamation: When a someone uses language to ruin the reputation of someone else
Libel and slander are both types of defamation.
Libel (written defamation): Written false statements
e.g printed, blog articles, social media posts, pictures
Slander (spoken defamation): Spoken false statements
e.g spoken words or gestures, speeches, news broadcasts
Is libel legal? 👩⚖️
In some parts of the world, libel writing is a crime.
Libel laws vary from country to country, but all have the same purpose – to protect people’s reputation by preventing false statements from being published without their consent.
What happens when someone commits libel? ✍️
If someone makes “libelous statements” about you, you could potentially sue them for damaging your good reputation.
Celebrities often sue for libel when they feel that their reputation has been tarnished.
People are suing for libel at a shocking rate.
Ministry of Justice data in the UK has shown that defamation claims are increasing year on year. Between 2017 and 2018 there was a whopping 70% increase in claims, then from 2018 to 2019 there was a 22% increase.
But it’s not just celebrities who are filing these law suits.
Ordinary people have also filed such suits over things like bad Yelp reviews and negative comments on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter!
If you want to sue someone for libel, you must prove that they published a statement with an intent to harm your reputation.
Conclusion 👍
So that’s it!
Libel is when a person’s writing contains false details about someone, that damages their good reputation.
Hopefully you’re feeling more confident about understanding what libel is.
If you know any friends or family members who might benefit from learning about libel, share this post with them!
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