Defamation
'Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.' Still believe that? Damaging someone else's reputation can be an expensive business, whether they are a Hollywood A-lister or the cleaner you dismissed last week. You'd have to foot the bill for:
- compensation payment to the injured party
- legal fees
- expenses
- pulling, reshooting or pulping your production
- all the time you've wasted
Even if the person is shown as an animation, they can wield great power to have the show pulled.
Libel, slander, defamation - what's the difference?
A defamatory statement:
- is one that injures the reputation of another person
- is libel if is published: ie communicated to another person in writing, printing or another permanent form
- is slander if it is published and spoken
It is possible to defame someone in a reference you give. If you want to communicate an employee's shortcomings to the next employer you need to do it in neutral objective words that are focused on the job description and the terms of employment. 'Did not come into work on time' is measurable. 'Lazy' is not.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development has some helpful advice on writing References.
