About defamation

If you post a defamatory statement about someone, anywhere on our website, the person can sue you, provided other readers can identify them.

It isn’t safe to use a user name or post anonymously. The law may force us to reveal your ID.

A defamatory statement is one that seriously harms someone else’s reputation.

Comments

It is usually safe to post a comment or an opinion.

But make sure it is a comment, and not a factual claim that looks like a comment.

This is a comment:

“Norman Nerd’s new book, The Feline Drugs Manual, is rubbish. It bored me from cover to cover.”

This is not a comment:

“I reckon Norman Nerd was taking drugs himself when he wrote the The Feline Drugs Manual.”

Factual statements

If you make an unflattering claim about someone, they can sue you. And if they do, you will have to provide cast iron proof that the allegation is true.

Examples

Here are some typical libellous statements.

  • X, (who may or may not be named explicitly) has committed some criminal or seriously antisocial act …
  • X is a liar, is dishonest …
  • X took a bribe; X tried to bribe Y …
  • X stole from Y; X is a thief …
  • X is violent or abusive …
  • X damaged Y‘s property …
  • X is a drugs dealer, a drugs user or, simply, ‘is involved in’ drugs …
  • X is a hypocrite …
  • X is bankrupt; is nearly bankrupt or has serious financial problems …
  • X owes money which he won’t (or can’t) pay back …
  • X sexually abused or harassed Y …
  • X is sexually perverted …
  • X is a paedophile …
  • X is cheating on his wife, her husband or his/her long term partner …
  • X is gay (when X is married or claims not to be gay) …
  • X is very sexually promiscuous …
  • X has had extreme plastic surgery (particularly when it’s been denied previously) …
  • X framed Y for the crime …
  • X (policeman) ‘fitted up’ Y, forced an untrue confession etc …
  • X was negligent by …
  • X harassed Y, was a nuisance …
  • X‘s activities are putting others at risk, in danger …
  • X exploits others in some way …
  • Company Z is dishonest (for whatever reason) …
  • Z‘s products are dangerous or unhealthy e.g. cause cancer …
  • Z‘s products are substandard, of poor quality etc …
  • Z‘s methods of production, operating methods or activities are putting customers / the public at risk …
  • Z‘s activities are damaging the environment …
  • Z exploits its workers in some way e.g. low pay, sweat shops etc …
  • Z is bankrupt, is nearly bankrupt or is in financial trouble …

Be warned!

Remember, if you post a defamatory statement, you can be sued for it.