A form of publication which tends to cause one to lose the esteem of the community is defamation. This is injury to reputation. A person can be held liable for the defamation of another. In order to prove defamation, the plaintiff must prove:
- that a statement was made about the plaintiff's reputation, honesty or integrity that is not true;
- publication to a third party (i.e., another person hears or reads the statement); and
- the plaintiff suffers damages as a result of the statement.
Slander is a form of defamation that consists of making false oral statements about a person which would damage that person's reputation. If one spreads a rumor that his neighbor has been in jail and this is not true, the person making such false statements could be held liable for slander.
Defamation which occurs by written statements is known as libel. Libel also may result from a picture or visual representation. Truth is an absolute defense to slander or libel.
Some statements, while libelous or slanderous, are absolutely privileged in the sense that the statements can be made without fear of a lawsuit for slander. The best example is statements made in a court of law. An untrue statement made about a person in court which damages that person's reputation will generally not cause liability to the speaker as far as slander is concerned. However, if the statement is untrue, the person making it may be liable for criminal perjury.
If a communication is made in good faith on a subject in which the party communicating it has a legitimate right or interest in communicating it, this communication may be exempt from slander liability due to a qualified privileged.
The following form letter demands that someone cease making libelous or slanderous statements, or appropriate legal action will be taken.
Elements Of Defamation For Public Figure In Georgia
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A public figure, ing to Gertz v. Robert Welch , is an individual who has assumed roles of especial prominence in the affairs of a society or thrust themselves into the forefront of particular public controversies to influence the resolution of the issues involved.
The Supreme Court has defined public figures as those who hold government office and those who have achieved a role of special prominence in the affairs of society by reason of notoriety of their achievements or vigor and success with which they seek public's attention.
Defamation involves false statements that harm an individual's reputation. In Georgia, you can sue for defamation if you can prove that false statements were made with intent to harm your reputation.
Public figure. noun. public fig·​ure. : an individual or entity that has acquired fame or notoriety or has participated in a particular public controversy see also limited purpose public figure compare public official.
- A viable defamation claim under Georgia law consists of: (1) a false and defamatory statement concerning the plaintiff: (2) an unprivileged communication to a third party; (3) fault by the defendant amounting at least to negligence; and (4) special harm or the action ability of the statement irrespective of special ...
A public figure, ing to Gertz v. Robert Welch , is an individual who has assumed roles of especial prominence in the affairs of a society or thrust themselves into the forefront of particular public controversies to influence the resolution of the issues involved.
Examples of public figures include: Politicians and government officials. Celebrities and entertainers. Athletes and sports stars. Business leaders and entrepreneurs. Activists and social reformers.
Be truthful. If your statements are true, they are not defamatory. For this reason, refrain from making any statements that you are not prepared to back up and substantiate if you are sued.
To succeed in a defamation lawsuit, you must prove: False Statement: The statement was false and defamatory. Publication: The statement was communicated to a third party. Injury: The statement caused harm to your reputation or personal well-being.
You file the complaint or petition with the clerk of court. You generally want to file in the court in the county where the person you are suing lives. Along with the complaint, the court must be told where to serve (give it a copy of it to) the defendant.
