Can I sue someone for defamation on social media?

What is defamation?

Defamation includes both libel and slander. Libel is something that adversely affects a person’s reputation in a “lasting” form of publication such as in print or online. Slander concerns something that adversely affects a person’s reputation in a more temporary format such as words or gestures.

In the case of statements on social media these could amount to libel.

What is the law on defamation on social media?

Defamation is based on common law, but has recently been codified by the Defamation Act 2013. In a case of someone making a statement about you on social media, you must establish that the statement complained of is defamatory.

The assessment used is whether the statement made would lower you in the estimation of right-thinking members of society generally.

However, a statement is not defamatory unless its publication has caused or is likely to cause serious harm to your reputation (section 1(1) Defamation Act 2013). What amounts to ‘serious harm’ is decided by the courts.

What amounts to publication?

Publication includes defamatory statements made on social media. However publication will not be judged to have occurred if an email is unread or an unvisited webpage. There is not an automatic presumption in that something on the internet has been ‘published’.

At common law (subject to certain defences) every person who knowingly takes part in the publication of defamatory material may be liable for its publication. This means you could potentially have a claim against someone who ‘shared’ or re-posted a defamatory statement written by another.

Who can I bring a claim against?

You could potentially bring a claim against the person who wrote the statement or against a person who went on to publish it further by ‘sharing it’.

However you cannot bring an action against someone who is not the author, editor or publisher of the statement unless it is satisfied it was not reasonable practicable for an action to be brought against the author, editor or publisher. You should look to bring an action against the author editor or publisher in the first instance.

You cannot simply sue the website or social media provider. However, if the author of the comments is anonymous, and you have no means of finding out who they are, you can sue the publisher of the comments, i.e. the website or social media platform

Who is the claimant?

Any one bringing a case for defamation must prove that the words complained of were about them – this can be straightforward if you are clearly identified or ‘tagged’ in a social media post.

If this is not clear, the general test the court will apply is whether reasonable people would understand the words to refer to the claimant

Who can sue for defamation?

Only a person who has been defamed can sue, this means you cannot bring a claim on someone else’s behalf, for example someone who has died.

Companies or limited liability partnerships can also bring actions in defamation to protect their business reputation.

What are other causes of action?

If you have been subjected to defamatory statements made about you in social media you may have legal actions in addition to a claim in defamation, this can include malicious falsehood, breach of confidence, misuse of private information and harassment.

If you need legal advice on defamation on social media, our experienced defamation solicitors can assist you whether you need advice as an individual or for your business. Talk to our team today on 0808 271 9413 or request a call back.