Defamation & Criminal Intimidation — KSLU Bns Notes

Defamation & Criminal Intimidation

flowchart TD
    A["DEFAMATION (S.356)"]:::root
    A --> B["Imputation concerning a person…"]:::leaf
    A --> C["…made or published…"]:::leaf
    A --> D["…intending / knowing it will<br/>HARM that person's reputation"]:::leaf
    A --> E["Subject to the EXCEPTIONS<br/>(truth for public good, fair comment,<br/>good-faith opinion on a witness, etc.)"]:::ok

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    classDef leaf fill:#E6F3FF,stroke:#1E3A8A,color:#000;
    classDef ok fill:#E6FFE6,stroke:#1E7A1E,color:#000;
    linkStyle default stroke:#888,stroke-width:1px;

Defamation (S.356) punishes an imputation made or published, intending or knowing it likely to harm a person’s reputation — but is subject to exceptions protecting truth for the public good, fair comment on public conduct, good-faith opinion on the conduct of a witness, and the like. Criminal intimidation (S.351) is threatening a person with injury to person, reputation or property to cause alarm or to coerce an act.