Defamation: If someone hurts your reputation

What are my rights?

My ex is spreading hurtful rumours about me on social media. Could this be defamation?

A good reputation is the core of a person’s self-worth and dignity. Once lost, it’s hard to get back. (It’s often remarked that “the truth rarely catches up with a lie.”) And the consequences can be devastating, especially professionally. The law of defamation protects your reputation from harm that is unjustified.

What you should know

Work out the problem

Who can help

Reviewed for legal accuracy by

Daniel Coles, Owen Bird Law Corporation and Christopher Morcom, Pacific Law Group

Daniel Coles
Christopher Morcom

Also on this topic

Still not sure what to do?

If you're looking for advice specific to your situation, there are options for free or low-cost help.

Options for legal help

This website explains in a general way the law that applies in British Columbia, Canada. The information is not intended as legal advice. The cases we refer to reflect real experiences, but names have been changed. See our full disclaimer.

Get the latest free info — sign up for our newsletter

Access the email newsletter archive.

Contact us

You can reach us by phone at 604-331-5400. More contact info.

Also from People's Law School

Dial-A-Law: A starting point for information on the law in British Columbia in 190+ topic areas. Available online and by phone.

Unbundled Legal Services: Learn about a new service model for lower-cost legal help. 

Beagle: A chatbot that helps with common legal problems. Look in the bottom right corner :)

Thanks to our funders

Meet our primary funders.

People's Law School logo

We are grateful to work on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, whose Peoples continue to live on and care for these lands.