a little 101.5 on slander - just because I wanted to know for sure
What is Defamation? - Defamation (not defecation) is spoken or written words that falsely and negatively reflect on a living person's reputation. If a person or the news media says or writes something about you that is understood to lower your reputation, or that keeps people from associating with you and you just can't find anyone else to play with, defamation has occurred. Slander and libel are two forms of defamation.
What is slander? - Slander is a spoken defamation.
What is libel? - Libel is a written defamation. Generally, radio, porn and television broadcasts that are defamatory are considered to be libel, rather than slander.
Can I sue someone who says or writes something defamatory about me? - Damn right you can, but in order to prove defamation, you have to be able to prove that what was said or written about you was false. If the information is true, or if you consented to publication of the material, you will not have a case. However, you may bring an defamatory action if the comments are so reprehensible and false that they effect your reputation or cast aspersions on you.
What about insults and epithets? Are they defamatory? - Generally, nada. Usually they are seen as outbursts of emotion (you bitch!), with no real substance, except to show intense dislike.
Don't I have a right (oh no, the 'R' word) to express my opinion? - Yes, so long as your statement of opinion is just an opinion, not containing specific facts that can be proved untrue. So not "you slept with everyone in town you filthy whore!"... just "you bitch" will suffice.
What is slander? - Slander is a spoken defamation.
What is libel? - Libel is a written defamation. Generally, radio, porn and television broadcasts that are defamatory are considered to be libel, rather than slander.
Can I sue someone who says or writes something defamatory about me? - Damn right you can, but in order to prove defamation, you have to be able to prove that what was said or written about you was false. If the information is true, or if you consented to publication of the material, you will not have a case. However, you may bring an defamatory action if the comments are so reprehensible and false that they effect your reputation or cast aspersions on you.
What about insults and epithets? Are they defamatory? - Generally, nada. Usually they are seen as outbursts of emotion (you bitch!), with no real substance, except to show intense dislike.
Don't I have a right (oh no, the 'R' word) to express my opinion? - Yes, so long as your statement of opinion is just an opinion, not containing specific facts that can be proved untrue. So not "you slept with everyone in town you filthy whore!"... just "you bitch" will suffice.