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

Ravi, a manager at a Pune firm, sends an email to 40 colleagues falsely stating that Meena, an accountant, has been embezzling funds. Meena's reputation in the office suffers. How is this wrong best classified?

This is libel. The false allegation of embezzlement was recorded in a permanent written form, an email, and published to 40 third parties, lowering Meena's reputation. Electronic form or internal circulation does not turn it into slander or remove publication.

  1. ASlander, because the email was sent electronically and not printed
  2. BLibel, because the false statement was published in a permanent written form to third partiesCorrect
  3. CNot defamation, because the email was an internal communication
  4. DSlander, because it was sent within the office only

Explanation

An email is a written, lasting record, so it is libel. Defamation requires a false statement lowering the person's reputation and publication to third parties; both are met as 40 colleagues received it. Internal circulation does not remove publication, so the claim of no defamation fails.

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