Original Version:
Defamation Defined
A false and unprivileged statement of fact that is
harmful to someone's reputation, and published
"with fault," meaning as a result of negligence or
malice.
 State laws often define defamation in specific
ways.

 Libel is a written defamation
 Slander is a spoken defamation.
New Version:
Defamation Defined
 false
and unprivileged statement
of fact
 harmful to reputation
 published "with fault"
 result of negligence or malice
Defamation or Not?
Defamation or Not?
New Version:
Defamation Defined
 State
law definitions:
 Libel - written
 Slander – spoken
 Tort
Law project: Slander vs Libel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eGFqwWuU9c
Original Version:
Defamation Online

The US Supreme Court has said that
blogs have the same protections as
traditional media:
 "in the context of defamation law, the rights
of the institutional media are no greater and
no less than those enjoyed by other
individuals and organizations engaged in the
same activities."
New Version:
US Supreme Court:
"in the context of defamation law, the
rights of the institutional media are no
greater and no less than those enjoyed
by other individuals and organizations
engaged in the same activities."
Dun & Bradstreet, Inc. v. Greenmoss Builders, Inc., 472
U.S. 749
New Version:
US Supreme Court:
Blogs = traditional media
Same protections