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

Ramesh, a manager at an Indian firm, sends an email to all staff falsely stating that the accountant Meena has been siphoning off company funds. The email is stored on the server and forwarded by several employees. How is this wrong most appropriately classified?

This is libel. The false allegation about Meena was made in a written, stored email, which is a permanent form, and it was communicated to third parties, satisfying publication. Circulation inside the company does not prevent it from being defamation.

  1. ASlander, because it was sent quickly through electronic means
  2. BLibel, because the defamatory statement was made in a permanent, written form and published to othersCorrect
  3. CNot defamation, because it was circulated only within the company
  4. DMalicious prosecution, because it alleges a crime

Explanation

An email is a written and recorded statement, so it is permanent and counts as libel. Publication to third parties (other staff) is satisfied even though they are within the firm. Slander is wrong because the form is not transient.

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