by ludano17 » Fri Apr 01, 2011 12:33 am
For something to be considered "defamatory", someone other than the person who's being defamed has to hear or read it and understand that it refers to that person.
Ex. I say "you're a liar", but no one else hears me say it: not defamatory.
Ex. I say "Somebody's a liar" and lots of people hear me, but they don't know who I'm talking about: not defamatory.
Ex. I say "(your name) is a liar" and lots of people hear it: Defamatory (unless you really are a liar, but that's not in this bit)