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Welcome to the website of the Digital Media Law Project. The DMLP was a project of the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society from 2007 to 2014. Due to popular demand the Berkman Klein Center is keeping the website online, but please note that the website and its contents are no longer being updated. Please check any information you find here for accuracy and completeness.
January 25, 2025

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State Law: Defamation

 

Choose a state from the list below for state-specific information on defamation law.  For general information on defamation and false light, see the section on Publishing Information that Harms Another's Reputation.

  • Arizona Defamation Law
  • California Defamation Law
  • District of Columbia Defamation Law
  • Florida Defamation Law
  • Georgia Defamation Law
  • Illinois Defamation Law
  • Indiana Defamation Law
  • Massachusetts Defamation Law
  • Michigan Defamation Law
  • Missouri Defamation Law
  • New Jersey Defamation Law
  • New York Defamation Law
  • North Carolina Defamation Law
  • Ohio Defamation Law
  • Pennsylvania Defamation Law
  • Texas Defamation Law
  • Virginia Defamation Law
  • Washington Defamation Law
‹ Statute of Limitations up Arizona Defamation Law ›
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

  • Forming a Business and Getting Online
  • Dealing with Legal Threats and Risks
  • Newsgathering and Privacy
  • Access to Government Information
  • Intellectual Property
  • Risks Associated With Publication
    • Publishing Information that Harms Another's Reputation
      • Defamation
        • Other Falsity-Based Legal Claims
        • Who Can Sue For Defamation
        • What is a Defamatory Statement
        • Proving Fault: Actual Malice and Negligence
        • Defamation Privileges and Defenses
        • State Law: Defamation
          • Arizona Defamation Law
          • California Defamation Law
          • District of Columbia Defamation Law
          • Florida Defamation Law
          • Georgia Defamation Law
          • Illinois Defamation Law
          • Indiana Defamation Law
          • Massachusetts Defamation Law
          • Michigan Defamation Law
          • Missouri Defamation Law
          • New Jersey Defamation Law
          • New York Defamation Law
          • North Carolina Defamation Law
          • Ohio Defamation Law
          • Pennsylvania Defamation Law
          • Texas Defamation Law
          • Virginia Defamation Law
          • Washington Defamation Law
      • False Light
      • Responding to Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs)
      • Practical Tips for Avoiding Liability Associated with Harms to Reputation
    • Publishing Personal and Private Information
    • Publishing the Statements and Content of Others
    • Correcting or Retracting Your Work After Publication
    • Publishing Product or Service Endorsements
    • Dealing with Foreign Legal Threats
  • Unique Content: Special Risks
  • Guides and Resources

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Recent Blog Posts

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We are looking for contributing authors with expertise in media law, intellectual property, First Amendment, and other related fields to join us as guest bloggers. If you are interested, please contact us for more details.

Disclaimer

Information in this guide is based on general principles of law and is intended for information purposes only; we make no claim as to the comprehensiveness or accuracy of the information. It is not offered for the purpose of providing individualized legal advice. Use of this guide does not create an attorney-client or any other relationship between the user and the Digital Media Law Project or the Berkman Center for Internet & Society.

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  • Fair Use
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