Question

If a newspaper published a defamatory article written by X, who can be sued?

• A. Publisher of that newspaper.
• B. Printer of that newspaper.
• C. Mr. X only.
• D. Mr. X, printer, publisher and editor.

Answer 1

The correct option is A Publisher of that newspaper.

The word "defamation" is an all- encompassing term that covers any statement that hurts someone's reputation. If the statement is made in writing and published, the defamation is called "libel". If the statement , being hurtful, is spoken, the statement is "slander". In the above situation, the publisher of the newspaper published the defamatory article, hence he has committed libel.