Anti-Defamation

The Anti-Defamation League, otherwise known as the ADL is an organization founded in 1913 that professes “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.”

Although they fight against all types of discrimination, the Anti-Defamation League primarily fights for the antisemitism cause.  They profess to do this through “information, education, legislation, and advocacy.”

Antisemitism is defined as prejudice towards Jews.  People who are antisemitic display hatred for the Jewish ethnic background, culture, and religion.  Antisemitism has been a problem throughout all the world and throughout all history, ranging from their expulsion from England and Spain to the notorious Holocaust.  It continues to be a problem in the United States, demonstrated by a 2009 Boston Review study that found 25% of non-Jewish Americans blamed the Jews for our recent recession.

The Anti-Defamation League had their own survey that concluded that 14% of U.S. residents had antisemitic views, with higher percentages held by the minority groups of Hispanics and African-Americans.  Their studies are only a part of the effort to stop antisemitism.

To combat antisemitism, the Anti-Defamation League incorporates many different avenues.  Below are some of the ways they fight antisemitism around the world.

1. The website

The Anti-Defamation League website is a hub of information and references that serves as a public informational and news database.  On their site they have important news issues that pertain to their interests, including foreign relations and wrongful organizations that promote antisemitism.  They include sections for opinions, press coverage, surveys, and “exposing antisemitic myths.”  They also have sections in their left navigation bar for education, civil rights, religious freedom, terrorism, and more.

2. Survey information

The Anti-Defamation League also fights antisemitism through their comprehensive research.  For example, on their website, they have survey reports that focus on antisemitism in America.  In 2007, they conducted a survey that showed antisemitism levels staying constant since 2005, and that “antisemitic beliefs endure in America.”  Additionally, they found that 31% of Americans believe Jews to be more loyal to Israel than America, 20% believe that Jews have too much power in the business world, and that more educated people are less likely to hold views akin to antisemitism.

3. Accepting donations and spreading the word

The Anti-Defamation League website offers a page where visitors can “take action.”  On this page, the issues they deem urgent have their own links that bring the user to a page of basic information and instructions to action.  For example, the most recent action against antisemitism is a letter to President Obama.  In the letter, the Anti-Defamation League tells the president that he should focus on avocation of the Arab recognition of Israel.  On the bottom of the page is a form to electronically sign the letter.

The Anti-Defamation League continues to fight against bigotry and promote justice.  Through their efforts fighting against antisemitism, they will continue to provide countless people with resources and information to fight along side them.

Slander vs Libel

Slander against a person or organization can cause permanent damage to their reputation or financial status.  How can you recognize what is and what is not slander?  This article will explain some of the different types of slander.

First off, slander is the oral or transitory form of defamation of character.  Defamation of character is a claim made against a party that is usually false but implied to be true that negatively affects their image.  It is considered a tort, or civil law, and therefore can be used as a reason for a civil lawsuit.  Suing the slanderous party is a common step used to reinstate reputation or collect compensation.  In reality, it is sometimes tough to pinpoint whether or not a party has committed the tort of slander, as numerous parameters need to be met in order for the statement to be considered slanderous.  Also, since slander is an oral statement, it may be a challenge to prove, let alone prove that it has caused defamation to your party.

For a statement to be considered slander, it must be malicious and clearly directed at your party.  Knowing these parameters is important.  Malicious intent in slander is when one party intentionally aims to cause harm one’s reputation or image.  For the slander to be considered directed at your party, it must directly or indirectly identify your entity in the statement.  To show that your character has indeed experienced defamation you will have to prove these two things.  An attorney specializing in slander can help you with a consultation to assure you of these things.  There are resources you can turn to to consult with an attorney, whether in person, on the phone, or online.  Your attorney will inform you whether or not the statement in question is defamatory, and whether or not you have a case to fight against it.

So how can you tell if you have been slandered against?  How can you be sure what type of defamation of character you have experienced? Here are a few concrete characteristics of slander:

1.  Slander vs. Libel

Defamation is differentiated between slander (oral) and libel (written).  It is also often called calumny or vilification.  Knowing the difference is key, as slander and libel and the appropriate actions to take are different.

2.  Slander per se vs. Slander per quo

Slander per se is considered direct defamation of character.  That is, slander per se is obvious and intentional, directed at your party, and immediately damaging.  For example, calling a doctor an “abortionist” or a politician a “nazi” is slander per se.  Slander per quo, on the other hand, depends upon the situation to be considered defamation.  It is an indirect defamation of your character that may or may not be realized at first.  Specialized attorneys will help you determine what type of slander you are victim to.

3.  General damages vs. Special damages

General damages refer to emotional damages or defamation to your reputation.  Special damages refer to direct economic loss.  Proof of special damages may be required to win the lawsuit and therefore be awarded any damages.

Against Company

Defamatory statements can be damaging to your company.  Defamation of character is defined as “the communication of a statement that makes a claim, expressly stated or implied to be factual, that may give an individual, business, product, group, government or nation a negative image.” Any defamatory statement can cause damage to your company’s reputation or financial assets, whether slander or libel.  An oral statement, published, that is defamatory to a specific party is considered slander; libel on the other hand, is a published written statement that is defamatory.

Slander and libel both fall under tort law, or civil law.  A civil lawsuit may be brought against the accused party, usually leading to a suing of said party by the accused.  The civil lawsuit, whether slander or libel, falls under the category of “defamation of character.”  The victim, in this case your company, can sue the defamatory entity for damages.  These damages are considered either general damages, special damages, or exemplary damages.  The difference between these two damages will be explained later on in this article.

So how can you determine whether or not your company has been victim to a defamation of character?  How can you be sure enough to follow through with a civil lawsuit for compensation?  Here are some steps and tips you can follow to better understand what is and is not considered defamatory:

1.  Find and consult with a lawyer.

This may be the most important step as there are lawyers who specialize in defamatory cases of slander and libel.  A specialized lawyer can assist you in determining the correct type of defamation of character your company is experiencing.  You may look into searching for free lawyer consultations on the internet or schedule a consulting appointment with a local lawyer to first determine whether you have a case or not.

2.  Meet with the lawyer to discuss your options.

When you meet with your lawyer, make sure to determine whether the defamatory statement is defamation per se or defamation per quo.  The distinction between the two is important, as they both entail different accusations and appropriate follow up actions.  Defamation per se is a direct, seemingly intentional defamation of character of a party directed at a third party.  Defamation per quo, on the other hand, is an indirect defamation of character that depends on circumstances to be defamatory, and otherwise would not be considered slander or libel.  The statement is usually, but not always, false — and must identify your company as the target to be considered defamation of character.

3.  If desired, take legal action.

Suing a party for defamation of character can help compensate for damages to your company.  Discuss with your lawyer whether you have a civil or criminal case of defamation, and whether to sue for general, special, or exemplary damages.  General damages are damages to reputation, emotion, feelings, or image.  Special damages include financial, property, and occupational damages.  Exemplary damages, then, are damages to be reimbursed determined by the court for the sole purpose of making an example out of the accused party.

tips

- Suing for defamation of character may be costly and time consuming, decide whether or not it is worth it to sue before you take action
- Accusing a party of defamation of character may cause more retaliation.  Ensure that the other party is a reputable and trustworthy party.

Steps and tips for suing for libel

If somebody writes a statement about you or your company that you consider to be slanderous, you may want to consider suing for libel.  Libel is when a writer knowingly writes or prints a statement that is damaging to another party. It is different from slander, as slander is an oral defamation of character.  Libel is considered a moral crime against you and may warrant action to repair your reputation.  As technology continues to grow and develop, the impact of slanderous libel grows increasingly pertinent.  The large number of peripherals and media can make it tough to maintain a solid reputation — libel can unfairly set you or your company back a few steps.

Whether it be a statement about your character, affiliation, or morals, libel can turn out to be disastrous.  Some will immediately consider suing, as your character and financial reputation may be directly or indirectly hurt from libel.  Libel that directly affects you is called libel per se.  In libel per se the libel is obvious and pronounced.  It is more serious to commit libel per se as the direct effect on your party is much more tangible.  The other libel that affect you indirectly is called libel per quod.  Libel per quod requires other circumstances to be considered libel.  Since libel per se is considered intentional and libel per quod is unintentional, it is much easier to convict a party of libel per se and subsequently prove that you have been defamed.

Suing a party for libel can remedy some of the defamation you experienced, but starting a lawsuit may prove to be expensive and wasteful.  Many people are unaware of how to go about suing another party.  Here are some steps that you can take in suing another party for libel:

1.  Consider the alternatives

If you are considering suing for libel, it is likely that a publication or editor is the defamer.  There may options other than suing that may procure the same results.  Consider demanding a retraction, rewrite, or an apology.  These alternatives may just rebuild your reputation –and possibly improve it as many consider the action of suing itself as lowly.

2.  Find an attorney

Finding an civil or criminal law attorney that specializes in libel or slander lawsuits is imperative.  Ask for consultation on whether your lawsuit is a civil or criminal case of libel.  Do not forget that laws differ between  states. It is with your attorney that you should decide whether to or not to go through with suing for compensation, along with whether you will take the issue to court or settle out of court.

3.  Take action against the libel

Whether you decide to settle out of court with the other party’s lawyer or continue with suing court, you should keep a few things in mind.  For one, the libel must have been directed at a third party.  Also, the statement of libel must have been about the plaintiff.  Thirdly, the statement must have been defamatory and untrue.  If the other party proves the truth behind the statement, you may not have a case.

Libel

Defamation law is the law of “defamation of character.”  That is, defamation law encompasses libel and slander as a cause of action.  Parties may use defamation law to their advantage, retaliating to defamatory statements against your person or company that may have caused damage to your reputation, financial status, or emotions.

Libel and slander are two different entities under defamation law.  Slander, on one hand, is the spoken or oral defamation of character directed at identified party with malicious (or intended to harm) content.  Libel then, is the written form of the same civil crime of defamation of character.  Both libel and slander must be “published,” or seen by a third party to be considered defamation of character.  Defamation law usually requires that these statements be false, although it is not always necessary.

Whether it be a statement about your character, affiliation, or morals, libel or slander can turn out to be disastrous.  Some will immediately consider using defamation law to sue the defamatory party.  Libel and slander that directly affects you is called per se defamation of character.  In per se defamation of character the defamation is obvious and pronounced.  It is more serious to commit per se as the direct effect on your party is much more tangible.  The other type of libel or slander that affect you indirectly is called per quod defamation of character.  Per quod requires other circumstances to be considered defamation of character.  Since per se is considered intentional and per quod is unintentional, it is much easier to convict a party of per se and subsequently prove that you have been defamed.

Defamation law implicates the cause of action against defamation of character.  In defamation law, a tort, or civil law, can be used to bring a lawsuit against the accused party.  There are specialized attorneys that focus on defamation law that can undoubtedly help your case.  Their expertise in the area will cover the intricacies involved with suing another party for defamation of character, including distinguishing between slander, libel, per se, per quo, and other specifics.

So how do you go about retaliating against libel or slander ?  Listed below are some steps you can take and some tips you can follow to better inform you of your options:

1.  Determine to the best of your ability whether or not you have a case of libel or slander .

Before consulting an attorney, use the resources on this page to determine whether you may have a cause of action for defamation of character.  Knowing defamation law to the best of your ability before contacting a lawyer may just prove to save a lot of headache.  Do your best to categorize the statement in question as per se, per quo, libel, or slander .

2.  Contact a specialized defamation law attorney.

Consulting with a defamation law attorney will help you decide your next course of action.  Discuss with your attorney the specifics of your case, including categorizing the defamatory statement and determining whether your case is civil or criminal defamation of character.

3.  Take legal action.

Here you can either take the case to court or settle out of court with the accused party.  It is recommend that you settle out of court, as this can save you costly fees.