What You Should Know About Defamation In Montana

With all that's going on with media and broadcasting I thought in our Tam Talk today we'd learn a new old word: Defamation

What Is The Dictionary Definition of Defamation?

Dictionary.com says this:

1. the act of defaming; false or unjustified injury of the good reputation of another, as by slander or libel; calumny.
   

   She sued the magazine for defamation of character.

    

I personally feel like that makes it even MORE confusing.

Here is the Dictionary.com definition of Defame:

damage the good reputation of (someone); slander or libel.

"he claimed that the article defamed his family"

How Can One Prove Defamation?

I consulted 3 law firm sites, and in one way or another they all basically said this:

1. The information was public, not shared on-on-one. Basically it has to be on tv, the radio or internet
2. They named a specific individual, not a generalization
3. The defamatory statement has impacted the victim's life in a negative manner
4. The information was FALSE
5. The defendant willingly defamed an individual

Every single one of these have to investigated and proven for defamation case to succeed in The United States of America.

If someone makes a TRUE statement about another person’s actions, even if those actions seem awful to them, it is not defamation

Get our free mobile app

Why Is Freedom of Speech So Important?

George Washington said of free speech:

" For if Men are to be precluded from offering their Sentiments on a matter, which may involve the most serious and alarming consequences, that can invite the consideration of Mankind, reason is of no use to us; the freedom of Speech may be taken away, and, dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep, to the Slaughter. "

Isn't that the truth.

Sources: Mount Vernon, BDB Law, Gilbert Adams Law Offices, Ciancio Ciancio Brown, Free Speech Center, Stand Together, Constitution.Congress.Gov

Read more from this author