Defamation is often divided into two main categories, which are slander and libel. Slander is a spoken statement, while libel is a written or published statement.
Historically, part of the difference is just how many people the defamation could reach. When it was slander, the audience was relatively limited. Only someone who heard the statement being made would actually be influenced.
With libel, however, because the statement was published and could be read by others in the future, it could have a much greater audience. This was especially true for defamation issues in newspapers, magazines and other such works with a wide circulation. The potential audience expanded, and the statement could still be read weeks, months or even years after it was made.
The role of social media
Today, one key thing to consider is the role that social media plays in defamation. When someone intentionally writes an untrue, damaging statement on social media, it is potentially being exposed to an audience of millions of users.
On top of that, even if the initial statement is deleted, the defamation can persist. Other users may have shared it or even taken screenshots. It is very hard to fully delete something from the internet once it has taken hold. Many people will see the original damaging statement, but may never know that it has been deleted or even retracted in the future.
Because of this wide audience, modern defamation can have a severe impact on a person’s future and reputation. Those who find themselves in this position must know what legal steps they can take moving forward.
