Libel law

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Please read the The Wikipedia article on slander and libel for more information on libel law.

Libel law in quick summary

"In law, defamation is the communication of a statement that makes a false claim, expressly stated or implied to be factual, that may harm the reputation of an individual, business, product, group, government or nation."[1]

Basically, watch what you say about private individuals or specific groups of people. Publishing allegations based on rumor is never a good idea.

This includes suggestions concerning any person's sexual history.

Keep in mind the above definition of defamation. If what you are going to publish might fit that definition, or if you are not sure, read more about libel law or talk to someone who might know.

The Knox Student staff should be able to either help you or point you in the right direction if you want help.

What is libel?

According to the Student Press Law Center (SPLC), libel "is the publication - in words, photos, pictures or symbols - of false statements of fact that harm another's reputation. (Libel is a form of defamation. Slander is the spoken version of defamation.) Reprinting or re-broadcasting a libelous statement made by someone else (such as a quote or a letter to the editor) can also subject a publication to a libel lawsuit. However, if a statement is true, it cannot be the basis of a successful libel claim."

How to recognize libel: a quick and easy guide, brought to you by the Student Press Law Center

Libel has four basic elements, according to the SPLC: publication, identification, harm, and fault. Each of those points must be proven in order for a libel claim to stand up in court.

Publication means a statement is communicated to someone other than the subject of said statement. For example, if the statement "John cheats on his wife" was published in a newspaper, it could be considered libelous. But a statement need not appear in a newspaper or other document to be considered "published." A statement's appearance on a computer screen in a newsroom where others might see it could be libelous.

Identification is fairly straightforward. Something can be libelous if the subject of the statement can clearly be identified by it. This can be countered by altering the identity of the subject so that he or she is not recognizable and also does not resemble a third party. In addition, legal precedent suggests that a group of people cannot be defamed so long as the defamatory statement cannot reasonably be interpreted as referring to a specific individual within the group. Corporate entities, as well as business and religious organizations can also be defamed, as defamation can harm their ability conduct affairs in their community.