7.2.2 “Defamatory” Statement.

• Jurisdiction: Arizona

7.2.2 “Defamatory” Statement. . The Restatement defines a com-munication as “defamatory” when “it tends so to harm the reputation of another as to lower him in the estimation of the community or to deter third persons from associating or dealing with him.”¹¹ Examples include statements that expose individuals to hatred, ridicule or contempt, attack an individual’s personal morality or integrity, or create a social aversion to associating with the individual.¹² In Arizona, a statement that impeaches an individual’s honesty, integrity or reputation is libelous per se .¹³ In addition, an author may be held liable for what she insinuates...