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CMA Foundation · Fundamentals of Business Laws and Business Communication · Legal Aspects of Business Communication

A company's HR manager forwards, through the office email group, a defamatory message about a former employee, knowing it to be false. Which statement is most accurate?

The manager may be liable for defamation. Knowingly forwarding a false statement that harms someone's reputation counts as publication, even through an internal email group. Using company email gives no protection, and a forwarder can be responsible along with the original author.

  1. AThe company email system protects the sender from liability
  2. BOnly the original author, not the forwarder, can ever be liable
  3. CThe manager may face liability for defamation because publishing a false, reputation-harming statement through electronic means is actionableCorrect
  4. DNo liability arises because the message was circulated internally only

Explanation

Defamation requires publication of a false statement that harms reputation; sending it to even a few others via email satisfies publication. A forwarder who knowingly circulates it can be liable, and internal circulation or use of company systems offers no immunity.

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