- that a statement was made about the plaintiff's reputation, honesty or integrity that is not true;
- publication to a third party (i.e., another person hears or reads the statement); and
- the plaintiff suffers damages as a result of the statement.
Slander is a form of defamation that consists of making false oral statements about a person which would damage that person's reputation. If one spreads a rumor that his neighbor has been in jail and this is not true, the person making such false statements could be held liable for slander.
Defamation which occurs by written statements is known as libel. Libel also may result from a picture or visual representation. Truth is an absolute defense to slander or libel.
Some statements, while libelous or slanderous, are absolutely privileged in the sense that the statements can be made without fear of a lawsuit for slander. The best example is statements made in a court of law. An untrue statement made about a person in court which damages that person's reputation will generally not cause liability to the speaker as far as slander is concerned. However, if the statement is untrue, the person making it may be liable for criminal perjury.
If a communication is made in good faith on a subject in which the party communicating it has a legitimate right or interest in communicating it, this communication may be exempt from slander liability due to a qualified privileged.
The following form letter demands that someone cease making libelous or slanderous statements, or appropriate legal action will be taken. A Tennessee Cease and Desist Letter for Libelous or Slanderous Statements — Defamation of Character is a legal document issued by an individual or entity in Tennessee who believes that their reputation has been harmed by false and damaging statements made by another party. This letter serves as a formal request for the party making the false statements to immediately cease and desist from further spreading defamatory statements. Defamation of character refers to the act of making false statements about someone that harm their reputation and can be divided into two categories: libel and slander. Libel refers to defamatory statements that are in written or printed form, such as social media posts, articles, or blogs. Slander, on the other hand, refers to spoken defamatory statements, such as rumors or false statements made in a public setting. The contents of a Tennessee Cease and Desist Letter for Libelous or Slanderous Statements — Defamation of Character may vary depending on the specific circumstances, but it typically includes the following elements: 1. Date: The date on which the letter is being written and sent. 2. Sender's Information: Full name, address, contact number, and email address of the person or entity sending the letter. 3. Recipient's Information: Full name, address, contact number, and email address of the person or entity being accused of making the defamatory statements. 4. Statement of Facts: A detailed explanation of the false and damaging statements made by the recipient, including specifics about when and where they were made. 5. Identification of Defamatory Statements: Explicitly state which statements are considered defamatory and explain why they are false and harmful to the sender's reputation. 6. Legal Basis: Briefly explain the laws governing defamation in Tennessee and how the recipient's actions have violated those laws. 7. Demand to Cease and Desist: Clearly and firmly request that the recipient immediately cease making any further libelous or slanderous statements about the sender, whether in written or oral form. 8. Potential Legal Consequences: Mention the potential legal consequences the recipient may face if they fail to comply with the demands, such as a lawsuit seeking damages for defamation. 9. Request for Retraction/Public Apology: Ask the recipient to retract the false statements publicly and issue a formal apology to restore the sender's reputation. 10. Deadline: Specify a reasonable deadline for the recipient to comply with the requests outlined in the letter, generally giving them a sufficient amount of time to take corrective action. 11. Reminder of Confidentiality: Include a reminder that the contents of the letter, including the demand for retraction and any negotiations, should be treated as confidential unless otherwise agreed upon. 12. Signature and Proof of Delivery: The letter should be signed by the sender, and it's advisable to keep evidence of delivery, such as a certified mail receipt or email read receipt. It is important to note that there may be variations or additional elements that can be included in a Tennessee Cease and Desist Letter for Libelous or Slanderous Statements — Defamation of Character depending on the specific circumstances of the case and the advice of a legal professional.
A Tennessee Cease and Desist Letter for Libelous or Slanderous Statements — Defamation of Character is a legal document issued by an individual or entity in Tennessee who believes that their reputation has been harmed by false and damaging statements made by another party. This letter serves as a formal request for the party making the false statements to immediately cease and desist from further spreading defamatory statements. Defamation of character refers to the act of making false statements about someone that harm their reputation and can be divided into two categories: libel and slander. Libel refers to defamatory statements that are in written or printed form, such as social media posts, articles, or blogs. Slander, on the other hand, refers to spoken defamatory statements, such as rumors or false statements made in a public setting. The contents of a Tennessee Cease and Desist Letter for Libelous or Slanderous Statements — Defamation of Character may vary depending on the specific circumstances, but it typically includes the following elements: 1. Date: The date on which the letter is being written and sent. 2. Sender's Information: Full name, address, contact number, and email address of the person or entity sending the letter. 3. Recipient's Information: Full name, address, contact number, and email address of the person or entity being accused of making the defamatory statements. 4. Statement of Facts: A detailed explanation of the false and damaging statements made by the recipient, including specifics about when and where they were made. 5. Identification of Defamatory Statements: Explicitly state which statements are considered defamatory and explain why they are false and harmful to the sender's reputation. 6. Legal Basis: Briefly explain the laws governing defamation in Tennessee and how the recipient's actions have violated those laws. 7. Demand to Cease and Desist: Clearly and firmly request that the recipient immediately cease making any further libelous or slanderous statements about the sender, whether in written or oral form. 8. Potential Legal Consequences: Mention the potential legal consequences the recipient may face if they fail to comply with the demands, such as a lawsuit seeking damages for defamation. 9. Request for Retraction/Public Apology: Ask the recipient to retract the false statements publicly and issue a formal apology to restore the sender's reputation. 10. Deadline: Specify a reasonable deadline for the recipient to comply with the requests outlined in the letter, generally giving them a sufficient amount of time to take corrective action. 11. Reminder of Confidentiality: Include a reminder that the contents of the letter, including the demand for retraction and any negotiations, should be treated as confidential unless otherwise agreed upon. 12. Signature and Proof of Delivery: The letter should be signed by the sender, and it's advisable to keep evidence of delivery, such as a certified mail receipt or email read receipt. It is important to note that there may be variations or additional elements that can be included in a Tennessee Cease and Desist Letter for Libelous or Slanderous Statements — Defamation of Character depending on the specific circumstances of the case and the advice of a legal professional.
