Six things you need to know about defamation

With the advent of social media, traditional defamation principles are constantly being adapted in the Courts to meet the demands in our new online world. Special Counsel Catherine Ballantyne outlines what you need to know.

With the advent of social media, people are suddenly finding themselves in the position of being potential publishers of defamatory material, or regrettably on the receiving end of disparaging remarks.

Defamation occurs when a negative statement is made against someone's character. Each case turns on the facts as to whether a Court would determine the statement to be defamatory.

Below are six things you need to know about defamation:

1. Large companies cannot bring an action for defamation