Can I Sue Someone Over A Defamatory Social Media Post?

Social media has transformed the way humans on every continent connect and gather. It allows anyone, anywhere with internet access to share their thoughts instantly. The unfortunate reality of social media is that there will inevitably be defamatory content.

For those who are the subject of defamatory social media posts, there is legal recourse: a defamation action. However, before commencing a defamation action against the poster, it's important to understand what exactly defamation is and how the courts treat it.

What is Defamation?

The tort of defamation has developed in the courts for centuries, and it is actually an umbrella term for two related torts: libel (the written form) and slander (the spoken form).