Internet Defamation

Defamation laws have developed over several centuries to provide recourse for people whose reputation is or is likely to be harmed by publication of information about them.

In theory, the objective of defamation laws is to balance protection of individual reputation with freedom of expression. In practice, defamation laws are frequently used as a means of chilling speech. A threat of (costly) defamation proceedings and damages, whether or not a plaintiff’s claim is likely to be upheld by a court, is often used to silence criticism not only by a particular person or group but also as a threat to others.

Like almost all other laws to date, defamation is defined within jurisdictions that are based on geographical areas. The Internet is inherently trans-border in nature, with both push technologies like email and pull technologies like the web unconstrained and indeed unconstrainable by state or national borders. The cyberspace era presents challenges to longstanding laws far greater than did the broadcast media of radio and TV.

This document provides an introduction to defamation laws, focusing primarily on Australian civil defamation laws, and the applicability of those laws to material published via the Internet. For legal advice on particular defamation claims, we strongly suggest you consult a solicitor. Introductions to qualified legal advice may be provided by calling (02) 9314 3224.                            (Source www.efa.org.au/)

If you are having an issue with online content which you feel is defamation and is showing in Google for either your name, your company, or some other term which is related to you, we may be able to help.

We can remove content from the first pages of Google by means which do not incur costly legal proceedings that may not even work.

Did you know that there are several defences to defamation?

Websites often ignore injunctions and legal take down notices.

Google is highly unlikely to respond to any request to take media down from its listings.

In fact taking legal action can often be very expensive and ineffective.

CALL US TODAY TO FIND OUT WHAT YOU CAN DO MUCH MORE CHEAPLY AND EFFECTIVELY TO RESTORE YOUR REPUTATION ONLINE

Call (02) 9314 3224

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