Defamation Abbreviations

In Latin is where we find the etymological origin of the term defamation. And it is that it comes from the Latin verb “diffamare”, which is made up of two clearly differentiated parts: the prefix “dis-“, which is equivalent to “divergence”, and the verb “famare”, which is synonymous with “making fame”. ”.

Defamation is the action and effect of defaming (discrediting someone through the dissemination of information that is contrary to their reputation or good reputation). For example: “I will not allow the defamation of my children through the media”, “Despite the lies of the opposition candidate, the defamation had no effect and people returned to accompany us in these elections”, “The defamation What these photographs meant for his public image was very great”.

Defamation can be said to be intended to harm a person from an accusation. The objective is that said defamation affects the dignity or honor of the subject, discrediting it. An individual can be defamed based on the communication of a true fact, but also with lies and falsehoods.

In the case of Spain, we have to establish that defamation is a crime that is regulated in the Penal Code, specifically between articles 205 and 216. In these sections, what is done is to establish what are the crimes of slander and insults as well such as the penalties established for people who carry them out:

• Slander. It is the action carried out by every person accusing another of having committed a crime, knowing that it is a lie or with absolute disregard for the truth. In this case, the individual who carries it out can face prison sentences of up to two years as well as fines of twenty-four months.
• Insult. In this case, we can say that it is both the expression and the action that someone performs undermining or seriously injuring the dignity and fame of another individual, even going as far as attacking what would be his own estimation. The Penal Code of Spain in this case establishes that the insults that are considered serious can be punished with up to fourteen months of fine.

It must also be established that in any of these crimes, in addition to the prison sentence or the fine, the person who carried them out, in the manner determined by the judge, must make their sentence public. And so, to a certain extent, he will repair the damage caused.

If an employer mistreats his employees, they can begin to tell the situation in various areas. In this way, the defamation of the businessman will be under way since society will not endorse his actions. The image of the abuser, therefore, will be tarnished.

Another possibility is that the businessman, in reality, is a fair man and behaves correctly, and that the facts denounced are just a lie from a company with which he competes in the market. In this case, the employer must make an effort to prove the falsity of the statements so that his honor is not affected by the defamation. Society’s reaction will show whether or not they believe the man involved in the public denunciation.

List of Acronyms Related to Defamation