Law For All TT
  • Home
  • About
  • Our Practice
  • Contact us
  • Recent Articles
  • Popular Articles
  • Search
  • Articles by Category of Law
    • Business Law
    • Civil Law
    • Constitutional Law
    • COVID-19
    • Criminal Law
    • Employment Law
    • Family Law
    • Land Law
    • Landlord & Tenant
    • Legal Documents
    • Road & Traffic Law
    • Tort Law
    • Will & Probate Law

WHAT CAN I DO IF SOMEONE POSTS SOMETHING UNTRUE ABOUT ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA?

14/5/2020

0 Comments

 
Share This:

The use of social media has exploded in recent years. Many of us use social media apps like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Most of us post photos of ourselves on vacation or out with friends or share an article we find interesting. However, sometimes things can get heated on social media and people end up making mean-spirited or even malicious posts about others. So what can you do if someone posts something untrue about you on social media?
Picture
Defamation on social media

​You can file a civil action against the person for defamation. This means you can bring a claim against the person in court that usually involves requiring the person to remove the defamatory posts as well as asking for damages (money) as compensation for the damage done to your reputation.

Defamation is defined as a false, published statement that is injurious to your reputation. It should be noted if someone posts something negative or mean-spirited, it is not in itself subject to a defamation lawsuit. The published statement/s must be untrue. 

Additionally, there are TWO types of defamation: libel and slander. Libel is a defamatory statement in a permanent form, usually written, e.g. in a book, magazine, newspaper, letter etc. On the other hand, slander is a defamatory statement in a non-permanent form, e.g. by means of spoken words or gestures (difficult to prove).  In the case of posts on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, the type of defamation would be libel. 

You can consult with an attorney about the malicious and false statements made by the person. The attorney may first send a pre-action protocol letter to the individual asking him/her to remove the defamatory posts and to cease and desist from publishing any future defamatory content about you. If the individual fails to adhere to the request, your attorney would likely move to file a civil action against the person for defamation. 

In Trinidad and Tobago, there can also be criminal sanctions (prison time) for defamation. A criminal defamation action can be brought by the state against an individual who allegedly publishes defamatory libel about a particular person, knowing it to be false. Those found guilty could face up to two years in prison (section 8 of the Libel and Defamation Act). However
, criminal defamation mostly applies to defamatory libel by journalists and the media. It would not apply in a case where someone you know is making defamatory statements against you online. 

Important Notice: This post does not constitute or provide legal advice. Always consult with a suitably qualified attorney-at-law on any legal problem or issue.

Law For All is managed by the Aurora Chambers Legal Practice.


Receive updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletter.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.


    Categories

    All
    Business Law
    Civil Law
    Constitutional Law
    COVID 19
    Criminal Law
    Employment Law
    Family Law
    Human Rights Law
    Land Law
    Landlord & Tenant
    Legal Documents
    Popular Posts
    Road & Traffic Law
    Tax Law
    Tort Law
    Will & Probate Law

    Archives

    January 2023
    October 2022
    September 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    June 2021
    December 2020
    September 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020

    RSS Feed

LawForAllTT.com

Privacy Policy
Comments Policy
About
Contact
Search
​
Blog
IMPORTANT NOTICE:  LawForAllTT.com contains general information about the laws in Trinidad and Tobago. Nothing on these pages constitutes legal advice. Always consult with a suitably qualified attorney on any legal problem or issue. 
CONTACT US:
Book Consultation
Email us: aurorachamberstt@gmail.com
Call: (868) 236-6197, (868) 374-2905
​

44 Eastern Main Road,
St. Augustine,
Trinidad.
FOLLOW US:
© COPYRIGHT 2020 - 2022 LAW FOR ALL BLOG, www.lawforalltt.com
Managed by the AURORA Chambers Legal Practice 

​ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Home
  • About
  • Our Practice
  • Contact us
  • Recent Articles
  • Popular Articles
  • Search
  • Articles by Category of Law
    • Business Law
    • Civil Law
    • Constitutional Law
    • COVID-19
    • Criminal Law
    • Employment Law
    • Family Law
    • Land Law
    • Landlord & Tenant
    • Legal Documents
    • Road & Traffic Law
    • Tort Law
    • Will & Probate Law