Internet Defamation: Defending Your Name (Report‪)‬

Freedom of speech is one of the fundamental rights of an American citizen. That liberty is not unchecked, however, as there are numerous laws against unbridled free speech. The laws prohibiting defamation are one such example. Generally speaking, defamation is the issuance of a false statement about another that causes that person or entity to suffer harm. Slander involves the making of defamatory statements usually by an oral (spoken) representation. Libel involves the making of defamatory statements in a printed or fixed medium, such as in a magazine or newspaper. Today, most courts treat both forms of defamation the same. Typically, the elements of a cause of action for defamation include: