Libelous Actions In Cyberspace: A Matric Of Defamation

Abstract

Defamation basically means, passing statements regarding someone, intentionally in order to depreciate that human’s reputation, which can either be Slander (Temporary) or libel (Permanent). Defamation in E-commerce or say, “Cyber Defamation”, which means passing insulting / harsh statements regarding someone or for his conduct, knowing that such statements are false, in order to harm his repo in cyberspace. Also, the required provisions and statutes are there to act as a guard of the innocent prudent man, but sometimes there is a misuse of these laws and statutory provisions. The present trend of legislation and also the judicial approach to such offenses appears to be such that these offenses are treated lightly and the punishments are not adequate having regard to the gravity of such offenses. Defamation laws should be sufficiently flexible to apply to all media. It is not practical to apply the principles derived in 18th or 19th-century cases to the issues that arise on the internet in the 21st century.