Being bad-mouthed on Facebook

Writer: Jonathan de Jager.

In this new series of columns by local attorney Jonathan de Jager, legal issues that ordinary citizens may encounter over the course of their daily lives will be highlighted, explained and discussed. Each column will be devoted to a different topic. This week we look at the common issue of being victimised on social media.

Question:

After my boyfriend and I recently ended our relationship, he badmouthed me terribly on Facebook. Now all our friends think it was all my fault. Are there any legal steps I can take against him?

Answer:

Despite the many benefits of social media, these platforms also create opportunity for abuse or misuse and can frequently bring out the worst in people, often without thought to the consequences of their actions.

Many people lose sight of the fact that the moment something is posted on a social media site, it is considered “published” and is therefore subject to the laws applicable to traditional media, such as newspapers, making claims for defamation a very real possibility.

Click below to read more. (The full article can be found on page 4)