7.1 Introduction

• Library: The Virginia Lawyer: A Deskbook for Practitioners (Virginia CLE) (2022 Ed.)

7.1 INTRODUCTION

Defamation is a tort (and in some places a crime). It is "[the] act of harming the reputation of another by making a false statement to a third person [or] a false written or oral statement that damages another's reputation." ⁴⁰⁵² Defamation law highlights the constitutional tension between freedom of speech and reputation interests:

The numerous decisions discussed above establishing First Amendment protection for defendants in defamation actions surely demonstrate the Court's recognition of the Amendment's vital guarantee of free and uninhibited discussion of public issues.

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