defamed

Defamed refers to a person whose reputation has been harmed by defamation—false statements about them that are communicated to a third party. In many legal systems, defamation is a civil wrong (a tort) consisting of two main forms: libel, which is written or published, and slander, which is spoken, though some jurisdictions treat all defamatory statements as defamation. The core elements typically include a statement presented as fact, publication to at least one other person, falsity, and harm to reputation, with the statement unprivileged and not protected by privilege or opinion.

Defenses include truth (the statement is substantially true), opinion (a subjective or non-factual expression), consent, and various privileges (for example, statements made in legislative or judicial contexts). Some jurisdictions also recognize fair comment on matters of public interest as a defense.

Remedies aim to restore reputation and compensate harm, and may include damages, injunctions, or retractions. Proof standards differ by jurisdiction and by whether the plaintiff is a public figure or private individual. Public figures typically must show actual malice—knowledge of falsity or reckless disregard for the truth—whereas private individuals may be required to prove negligence in some regimes.

The modern landscape includes online defamation, where posts, comments, and articles can spread rapidly across platforms. Courts address issues such as platform liability, jurisdiction, and the availability of speedy corrections, balancing the protection of reputation with freedom of expression.