FOR THOSE THAT INSULT PEOPLE AND SAY YOU DIDN’T MENTION ANY NAME UMFWENI

FOR THOSE THAT INSULT PEOPLE AND SAY YOU DIDN’T MENTION ANY NAME UMFWENI

By Bangwe Naviley Umulala

A plaintiff can potentially win a defamation case even if you only use their nickname, as long as the nickname is identifiable and understood to refer to them. In defamation cases, the key elements include:

A false statement of fact: The statement must be false and presented as a fact.

Publication: The statement must be communicated to someone other than the plaintiff.

Identification: The statement must be about the plaintiff, and it must be clear to a reasonable person that the statement refers to the plaintiff, even if a nickname is used.

Harm: The statement must cause harm to the plaintiff’s reputation.

If the nickname is widely recognized and understood to refer to the plaintiff, it can meet the identification requirement.

Credit: Muvi TV