How does defamation work on the internet?

Before the invention of the internet, defamation was something that occurred in newspapers, books and on radio and television shows. The invention of the internet has made defamation something that can occur to someone in a much more personal and targeted way. However, it appears that the law sees very little difference between the concept of offline and online defamation. If you have been defaced via Facebook or twitter, on a blog, a social networking site or just an ordinary website there is every chance that if the publication had occurred in the same vain in an offline publishing context and a case of defamation would have resulted than simply because the publication was done online is certainly not a viable defense. The same legal principles of defamation apply in the online and offline worlds.

To be proven an act of defamation, there must be an imputation which is communicated in public (an audience of 1 will normally not suffice) and the imputation must cause injurious damage to your reputation or cause your reputation in the eyes of a right thinking member of society to be lowered. There must be some damage and the publication must specifically identify the plaintiff (the person being defamed). There are series of cases in Australia now which reflect the fact that online publications are certainly part of the scope of what is covered by the law of defamation. These cases are now numerous an quite unequivocal in their import that defamation can occur online in exactly the same way as it occurs offline. The importance of online media now as a press tool and general tools of communication in society means that the law of internet defamation is set to become increasingly important over the coming years. If you think you have been defamed or you are being accused of having defamed someone, we have defamation lawyers available online now would can assist you with you internet defamation matter.