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