defamation
Meaning: The act of making false statements about a person that damage their reputation, encompassing both written (libel) and spoken (slander) forms.
Defamation law in England and Wales is notoriously claimant-friendly, making London a popular venue for defamation lawsuits — a phenomenon known as 'libel tourism.' The Defamation Act 2013 introduced a 'serious harm' threshold to prevent trivial claims. Understanding defamation is essential for journalists, publishers, and anyone who communicates publicly. The distinction between opinion (protected) and false statement of fact (potentially defamatory) is crucial.
Examples
- The celebrity filed a defamation claim against the tabloid newspaper, alleging that its story was entirely fabricated. 这位名人对小报提起诽谤诉讼,指控其报道完全是捏造的。La celebridad presentó una demanda por difamación contra el tabloide, alegando que la noticia era completamente inventada.その有名人は記事が完全に捏造されたものだとして、タブロイド紙に対する名誉毀損訴訟を提起しました。그 유명인은 기사가 완전히 날조되었다며 타블로이드 신문을 상대로 명예훼손 소송을 제기했습니다.
- Defamation law must balance the right to protect one's reputation against the fundamental right to freedom of expression. 诽谤法必须在保护个人名誉权与言论自由这一基本权利之间取得平衡。La legislación sobre difamación debe equilibrar el derecho a proteger la propia reputación con el derecho fundamental a la libertad de expresión.名誉毀損法は、個人の名誉を守る権利と表現の自由という基本的権利のバランスを取らなければなりません。명예훼손법은 개인의 명예를 보호할 권리와 표현의 자유라는 기본적 권리 사이에서 균형을 유지해야 합니다.
- The company threatened a defamation suit to deter journalists from publishing the investigation. 该公司以诽谤诉讼相威胁,以阻止记者发表调查报道。La empresa amenazó con una demanda por difamación para disuadir a los periodistas de publicar la investigación.その企業はジャーナリストに調査記事の発表を思いとどまらせるため、名誉毀損訴訟をちらつかせました。그 기업은 기자들이 조사 기사를 발표하지 못하도록 막기 위해 명예훼손 소송을 위협했습니다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: academic, professional, media
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Latin defamatio (a disgracing), from defamare (to spread bad reports about), combining de- (away from, down) and fama (reputation, fame). Entered English via Old French in the 14th century.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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