4 ms·

As long as one speaks/writes the truth and can back it up with evidence, one should not fear defamation/slander suits. Unless you're in America, land of the dy

As long as one speaks/writes the truth and can back it up with evidence, one should not fear defamation/slander suits. Unless you're in America, land of the dysfunctional legal system, home of the brave.

antidamage 12y ago
Or, as the author is, in the UK where defamation litigation is seen as a potent weapon: http://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2012/feb/22/simon-singh-british-chiropractic-association http://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2012/feb/22/simon-si...
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gamblor956 12y ago
You've got that backwards. America <edit>and Canada are</edit> the only country in which truth is a defense to defamation. Remember the British guy with the Nazi fetish? The tabloid that published that story lost even though it was true. In other countries (notoriously India), criticizing a government employee's performance is defamation (even if true). Edit: Looks like Canada also allows for truth as a complete defense to defamation. That makes two nations out of 180+.
- markdown 12y ago
  > America is the only country in which truth is a defense to defamation. Citation needed.
- 3pt14159 12y ago
  No it isn't. It is a defense in at least Canada as well.
- utunga 12y ago
  Being a Kiwi, decided I better confirm what the story was here in New Zealand. As with US and Canada 'truth' is a defence against defamation here also: http://www.medialawjournal.co.nz/?page_id=273 http://www.medialawjournal.co.nz/?page_id=273 "The publisher will succeed with a defence of truth if it can prove, on the balance of probabilities, that the story was true. Minor errors may be excused, but not those that go to the heart of the defamatory sting or stings." So guess you can add NZ to the list, but there are no doubt others - how about France, Australia, Austria.. Senegal? Perhaps it is actually the UK that is the outlier in this regard?
- girvo 12y ago
  I believe truth is also an allowed defence in Australia: http://www.thenewsmanual.net/Resources/medialaw_in_australia_02.html http://www.thenewsmanual.net/Resources/medialaw_in_australia...
late2part 12y ago
I suppose I ought sue you then, as you've defamed my homeland?

antidamage 12y ago

Or, as the author is, in the UK where defamation litigation is seen as a potent weapon: http://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2012/feb/22/simon-singh-british-chiropractic-association http://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2012/feb/22/simon-si...

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gamblor956 12y ago

You've got that backwards. America <edit>and Canada are</edit> the only country in which truth is a defense to defamation. Remember the British guy with the Nazi fetish? The tabloid that published that story lost even though it was true. In other countries (notoriously India), criticizing a government employee's performance is defamation (even if true). Edit: Looks like Canada also allows for truth as a complete defense to defamation. That makes two nations out of 180+.

markdown 12y ago
> America is the only country in which truth is a defense to defamation. Citation needed.
3pt14159 12y ago
No it isn't. It is a defense in at least Canada as well.
utunga 12y ago
Being a Kiwi, decided I better confirm what the story was here in New Zealand. As with US and Canada 'truth' is a defence against defamation here also: http://www.medialawjournal.co.nz/?page_id=273 http://www.medialawjournal.co.nz/?page_id=273 "The publisher will succeed with a defence of truth if it can prove, on the balance of probabilities, that the story was true. Minor errors may be excused, but not those that go to the heart of the defamatory sting or stings." So guess you can add NZ to the list, but there are no doubt others - how about France, Australia, Austria.. Senegal? Perhaps it is actually the UK that is the outlier in this regard?
girvo 12y ago
I believe truth is also an allowed defence in Australia: http://www.thenewsmanual.net/Resources/medialaw_in_australia_02.html http://www.thenewsmanual.net/Resources/medialaw_in_australia...

late2part 12y ago

I suppose I ought sue you then, as you've defamed my homeland?