I live in a gossip town. This is where people have nothing better to do but talk trash about anything and everything. Is gossip legal?
2007-01-10 09:21:25 · 7 answers · asked by ? 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
You can sue them only if they defame your character. Here's a definition of it: defamation (of character) n. the act of making untrue statements about another which damages his/her reputation. If the defamatory statement is printed or broadcast over the media it is libel and, if only oral, it is slander. Public figures, including officeholders and candidates have to show that the defamation was made with malicious intent and was not just fair comment. Damages for slander may be limited to actual (special) damages unless there is malice. Some statements such as an accusation of having committed a crime, having a feared disease, or being unable to perform one's occupation are called libel per se or slander and can more easily lead to large money awards in court and even punitive damage recovery by the person harmed. Most states provide for a demand for a printed retraction of defamation and only allow a lawsuit if there is no such admission of error.
2007-01-10 09:28:51 · answer #1 · answered by Beth L 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You probably live in a small town like I do. I hav gone through that before too, and I just hold my head up high and go on about my life and refused to even talk about what they were gossiping about....before you know it they have a new project, people like that never run low on something to talk about.
2007-01-10 17:54:02 · answer #2 · answered by ladynamedjane 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately gossip is legal. Although if the gossip is directed toward you and is causing you issues in the community you can take them to court for Defemation of Character.
2007-01-10 17:36:15 · answer #3 · answered by dee_p 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Gossip is protected by every American's right to free speech! It protects the people speaking, not listening!
2007-01-10 17:38:15 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
American culture is not yet evolved enough to understand the dynamics of personal energy..... which gossip drains,,,,
2007-01-10 17:33:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
ignore them and keep your bussiness pravite meaning know who to tell things to and keep your freinds at a length. the other thing you can do is through the court if your character is run through the ground and you hav ethe right to file charges
2007-01-10 17:30:10 · answer #6 · answered by WEEDG 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sue them for slander?
2007-01-10 17:27:22 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋