Defamatio

Defamatio is a Latin term meaning defamation. In legal contexts, it refers to the act of damaging the reputation of a person or entity by making false statements about them. This can occur through spoken words, known as slander, or through written or published materials, known as libel.

To be considered defamation, a statement must generally be false, communicated to a third party, and result in harm to the subject's reputation. The specific elements and legal standards for proving defamation can vary significantly depending on the jurisdiction. In many legal systems, there is a distinction between defamation of private individuals and public figures. Public figures often have a higher burden of proof, requiring them to demonstrate that the false statement was made with "actual malice," meaning the speaker or publisher knew it was false or acted with reckless disregard for the truth.

Defamation laws are designed to protect individuals from unwarranted reputational damage while also balancing freedom of speech. Remedies for defamation typically include monetary damages to compensate for harm to reputation, emotional distress, and financial losses. Legal defenses against defamation claims can include truth (truth is generally an absolute defense), opinion (statements of opinion are often protected), and privilege (certain statements made in specific contexts, like legislative proceedings, may be protected).