Defamation

Defamation is when somebody i.e. a Journalist publishes a defamatory story on a certain individual to make the public worse of the individual. In order to bring a claim forward for a defamation, a claimant   must prove that the defendant has published a story which worsens peoples opinion on them to a third party which refers to him. A defamation statement or story is a comment which makes people think worse of a person or businesses. An example would if i were to lie and say UKIP leader Nigel Farage has been accused of raping 4 young children and publish it. Such a statement could also be classed as defamation if allegations of criminality, dishonesty, insolvency, lack of integrity or sharp practice and personal morality.  

Defamation is a generic term for libel and slander 

Libel is a defamatory statement in permanent form: in writing, electronic media, broadcasts and pictures. Slander is a defamatory statement in temporary from, generally spoken but can include conduct and gestures.  

A statement is not defamatory unless its publication has caused or is likely to cause serious harm to the reputation of the claimant. This requirement was introduced in the Defamation Act 2013 which came into force on January 1st 2014 and is likely to increase the number of cases where the claimant decides to nor make a claim or the defendant refuses to offer any remedy or apology. It is likely to be difficult to show that serious harm has been caused due to defamation if the claimant already have a bad reputation, limited publication, the meaning is "pub talk", the statement is criticism of goods or services or if the statement against the claimant was quickly clarified as a mistake and was retracted or an apology was made so that any damage was short-lived.