Alabama Defamation Laws: Libel, Slander & Suing (2026)
Alabama defamation laws explained: a 2-year filing deadline under Code 6-2-38, defamation per se, retraction demands, and why Alabama has no anti-SLAPP statute.
8 min read
Defamation Laws
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Alaska Defamation Laws: Libel, Slander & Suing (2026)
Alaska defamation laws: a 2-year deadline under AS 09.10.070, defamation per se, no anti-SLAPP statute, and how Rule 82 fee-shifting affects defendants.
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Argentina Defamation Laws: Civil & Criminal
Argentina defamation is civil and criminal, but since Law 26.551 (2009) calumnia and injurias carry fines only, never prison, not for public matters.
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Arizona Defamation Laws: Libel, Slander & Suing (2026)
Arizona defamation laws: a 1-year deadline under A.R.S. 12-541, defamation per se, the single-publication rule, and Arizona's expanded anti-SLAPP statute.
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Arkansas Defamation Laws: Libel, Slander & Suing (2026)
Arkansas defamation laws explained: slander has a 1-year deadline, libel 3 years, plus defamation per se, the anti-SLAPP statute, and how to sue for defamation.
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Australia Defamation Laws: 2021 Reforms & How to Sue
Australia defamation law: the 2021 serious-harm reforms, the public-interest defence, the damages cap, key cases, and how to sue, with statute citations.
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Australia's 'Stage 2' Defamation Reforms Take Effect, Rewriting When Online Platforms Are Liable for Other People's Posts
NSW and the ACT switched on Australia's Stage 2 digital-intermediary defamation reforms on July 1, 2024, with Victoria following that September.
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Austria Defamation Laws: Civil, Criminal & Defences
In Austria defamation is both criminal and civil. StGB sections 111, 115 and 297 create the offences; ABGB 1330 and the Media Act allow damages.
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Bahrain Defamation Laws: Civil & Criminal
Defamation in Bahrain is both civil and criminal: Penal Code articles 364-366 (up to 2 years) and Law 60/2014 on IT crimes for online insult and slander.
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Bangladesh Defamation Laws: Civil & Criminal
Defamation in Bangladesh is both a crime (Penal Code ss. 499-500, up to 2 years) and a civil tort; the separate online offence was repealed in 2025.
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Belgium Defamation Laws: Civil, Criminal & Defences
In Belgium defamation is both criminal and civil. Penal Code arts 443 to 453 punish calomnie and diffamation; Civil Code art 1382 allows damages.
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Brazil Defamation Laws: Civil, Criminal & Defences
Defamation in Brazil is both criminal (Penal Code arts 138-140) and civil (Civil Code arts 186, 927). Crimes against honour, defences and damages explained.
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Bulgaria Defamation Laws: Civil, Criminal & Defences
In Bulgaria defamation is both criminal and civil. Criminal Code Articles 146 to 148 punish insult and defamation with fines, not prison.
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CA Court Backs Journalist Who Published Sealed Arrest Report
California appeals court, Sept. 29, 2026: the First Amendment and Section 230 barred a 15-count suit over a journalist's publication of a sealed arrest report.
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California Appeals Court Narrows, But Keeps Alive, Leah Remini's Scientology Defamation Suit
On July 31, 2026, a California Court of Appeal panel affirmed in part and reversed in part an anti-SLAPP ruling in Leah Remini's defamation suit against the Church of Scientology, sending surviving claims toward trial.
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California Defamation Laws: Libel & Slander (2026)
California defamation laws: a 1-year deadline under CCP 340(c), libel vs slander, defamation per se, and a strong anti-SLAPP statute (CCP 425.16).
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Cameroon Defamation Laws: Civil, Criminal & Defences
Defamation in Cameroon is both civil and criminal: Penal Code section 305 punishes it with jail and fines, and the 2010 cybercrime law covers online posts.
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Can a Public Figure Sue for Defamation?
Yes, a public figure can sue for defamation, but must prove actual malice by clear and convincing evidence (NYT v. Sullivan). How the standard works.
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Can You Defame a Dead Person? US Defamation Law After Death (2026)
Under US common law, a dead person generally cannot be defamed. See the rule, the Rhode Island exception, and how state survival statutes treat a pending case.
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Can You Go to Jail for Defamation of Character?
Can you go to jail for defamation? In most of the US it is a civil matter, but 15 states still have criminal defamation laws. Here is when each applies.
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Canada Defamation Laws: Civil, Criminal & Defences
Defamation in Canada is both civil (common law and Quebec Civil Code) and, rarely, criminal under Criminal Code ss.298-301. Defences, damages and limits.
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Chile Defamation Laws: Civil, Criminal & Defences
Chile defamation is civil and criminal: calumnia and injuria are Penal Code crimes (Arts 412-431), and victims can also sue for civil damages.
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China Defamation Laws: Civil & Criminal
Defamation in China is both civil (Civil Code arts. 1024-1025) and criminal (Criminal Law art. 246, up to 3 years), with 2013 online thresholds.
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Colombia Defamation Laws: Civil & Criminal
Colombia defamation is civil and criminal: injuria (Art 220) and calumnia (Art 221) are crimes under the Penal Code (Law 599/2000), with prison and fines.
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Colorado Defamation Laws: Libel & Slander (2026)
Colorado defamation laws: a 1-year deadline under C.R.S. 13-80-103, libel vs slander, defamation per se, and the 2019 anti-SLAPP statute (13-20-1101).
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Combs Defamation Ruling: One NewsNation Claim Proceeds, Three Dismissed
A federal judge let one claim proceed against NewsNation's parent, dismissed three, and denied attorney Ariel Mitchell's motion in full on September 4, 2026.
16 min read
Connecticut Defamation Laws: Libel & Slander (2026)
Connecticut defamation laws: a 2-year deadline under C.G.S. 52-597, libel vs slander, defamation per se, and the 2017 anti-SLAPP statute (52-196a).
7 min read
Costa Rica Defamation Laws: Civil & Criminal
Defamation in Costa Rica is both a crime (Penal Code arts 145-152: injuria, difamacion, calumnia) and a civil matter, but prison was abolished in 2010.
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Court Dismisses Baraka Defamation Claims Under Westfall Act
A New Jersey federal judge dismissed Ras Baraka's defamation claims against Alina Habba without prejudice after upholding a Westfall Act scope certification.
17 min read
Court of Appeal Reopens Laurence Fox Libel Fight, Reshaping the 'Serious Harm' Test in English Defamation Law
In Blake v Fox [2025] EWCA Civ 1321, England's Court of Appeal revived Laurence Fox's libel counterclaim, finding the trial judge misapplied the serious harm test.
6 min read
Court Reverses Anti-SLAPP Denial in Coppola Libel Case
An unpublished California appeals court reversed the denial of Variety's anti-SLAPP motion in Francis Ford Coppola's libel suit. What it held, and its limits.
16 min read
Court Reverses Anti-SLAPP Denial in Schneider Defamation Suit
A California appeals court reversed a trial order, ruling Quiet on Set does not imply Dan Schneider committed child sexual abuse, a published opinion holds.
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Croatia Defamation Laws: Civil, Criminal & Defences
In Croatia defamation is both criminal and civil. The Criminal Code punishes insult and calumny with fines; civil claims allow damages.
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Cyprus Defamation Laws: Civil Liability & Defences
In Cyprus defamation is a civil matter only; criminal libel was abolished in 2003, and claims now proceed under the Civil Wrongs Law, Cap 148.
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Czech Defamation Laws: Civil, Criminal & Defences
In the Czech Republic defamation is both criminal and civil. Criminal Code section 184 punishes defamation; the Civil Code protects honour and reputation.
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DC Defamation Laws: Libel, Slander & Suing (2026)
DC defamation laws explained: a strict 1-year deadline (DC Code 12-301), the DC anti-SLAPP Act, defamation per se, and how to sue for libel or slander.
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Defamation by Omission: Court Lets Dartmouth Roster Claim Proceed
A New Hampshire federal court refused to dismiss a defamation claim built on a coach's removal from Dartmouth's online rosters. What the order held.
24 min read
Defamation Cease and Desist Letter: What It Does
A defamation cease and desist letter explained: what it does, what to include, retraction demands, anti-SLAPP risk, DIY vs lawyer, and what happens next.
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Defamation Cease and Desist Letters Around the World
A cease and desist or pre-action letter is the usual first step before a defamation claim. In Australia and the UK it is expected, not optional.
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Defamation Laws by State: Libel and Slander (2026)
Defamation laws by state: compare the libel and slander statute of limitations and anti-SLAPP laws, which vary widely, for all 50 states and DC.
14 min read
Defamation of Character: Definition, Elements & Examples (2026)
Defamation of character is a false statement of fact that damages someone's reputation. Learn the definition, libel vs. slander, the 4 elements, and how to prove a claim.
17 min read
Delaware Defamation Laws: Libel & Slander (2026)
Delaware defamation laws explained: a 2-year deadline under 10 Del. C. 8119, libel vs slander, defamation per se, and the new 2025 anti-SLAPP statute (UPEPA).
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Denmark Defamation Laws: Civil, Criminal & Defences
In Denmark defamation is both criminal and civil. Penal Code sections 267 to 270 punish defamation; the Liability for Damages Act allows tort compensation.
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Ecuador Defamation Laws: Civil & Criminal
In Ecuador, calumnia (falsely accusing of a crime) is criminal under COIP art 182; injuria was decriminalized in 2014. Civil damages also apply.
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Egypt Defamation Laws: Criminal, Civil & Cyber
Defamation in Egypt is both criminal (Penal Code arts 302-308) and civil, with online liability under the 2018 Cybercrime Law and the 2018 Media Law.
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Elements of Defamation: What You Must Prove
The 5 elements of defamation of character: a false statement of fact, published to a third party, about you, with fault, that harmed your reputation.
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Elon Musk's Defamation Lawsuits, Explained
No official tally of Elon Musk defamation lawsuits exists. This tracks the verified cases, including the Unsworth trial he won, and flags suits often mislabeled as defamation.
10 min read
Estonia Defamation Laws: Civil, Criminal & Defences
In Estonia ordinary defamation is a civil matter under the Law of Obligations Act, not a crime; only narrow criminal provisions remain.
8 min read
Federal Judge Lets Defamation Claim Over Google AI Overviews Go Forward
A Northern District of Illinois judge ruled Sept. 14, 2026 that two false Google AI Overviews can support a defamation claim, rejecting the disclaimer defense at the pleading stage.
11 min read
Finland Defamation Laws: Civil, Criminal & Defences
In Finland defamation is both criminal and civil. Criminal Code Chapter 24 punishes defamation and aggravated defamation; the Tort Liability Act allows damages.
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First Circuit: Group Defamation Rule Bars Maine Lobster Suit
On October 9, 2026 the First Circuit reversed and ordered dismissal of Maine lobster plaintiffs' defamation suit over Seafood Watch ratings, applying the group defamation rule.
14 min read
Florida Court: No Jail Threat to Collect an Anti-SLAPP Fee Award
Florida's Fifth DCA reversed a contempt order on September 25, 2026, holding an anti-SLAPP fee judgment is a debt that cannot be enforced by threatening jail.
11 min read
Florida Defamation Laws: Libel, Slander & Suing (2026)
Florida defamation laws: a 2-year deadline (Fla. Stat. 95.11), the 768.295 anti-SLAPP law, pre-suit retraction notice, per se categories, and how to sue.
7 min read
Florida Magistrate Narrows AI Chat Discovery in Defamation Suit
A Florida federal magistrate judge's October 21, 2026 order narrows discovery of a defamation defendant's AI chat logs and requires a work-product privilege log.
16 min read
France Defamation Laws: Civil, Criminal & Defences
In France defamation (diffamation) and insult are criminal under the Law of 29 July 1881: a 12,000 euro fine and a short three-month deadline to act.
9 min read
Georgia Defamation Laws: Libel, Slander & Suing (2026)
Georgia defamation laws: a strict 1-year deadline (OCGA 9-3-33), the anti-SLAPP statute (OCGA 9-11-11.1), slander per se categories, and how to sue.
7 min read
Germany Defamation Laws: Civil, Criminal & Defences
In Germany defamation is both criminal and civil. StGB sections 185 to 187 punish insult and false-fact claims; the Civil Code allows damages.
7 min read
Ghana Defamation Laws: Civil Only, After 2001 Repeal
Defamation in Ghana is civil only: Parliament repealed criminal libel and sedition in 2001 (Act 602), so libel and slander are now common-law tort claims.
7 min read
Greece Defamation Laws: Civil, Criminal & Defences
In Greece defamation is both criminal and civil. Law 5090/2024 repealed ordinary defamation; insult and slanderous defamation remain crimes.
6 min read
Has Barack Obama Been Sued for Defamation?
There's no official tally of Obama defamation lawsuits. Here's what is actually documented, including the one case naming him as a defendant. Verified 7/11/26.
12 min read