The legal technicalities of libel and privacy undergo frequent revision. The reporter should be aware of these changes. This section only addresses the topic generally. Defamation occurs when one's words reflect negatively upon another person's integrity, character, good name and standing in the community and those words tend to expose the other person to public hatred, contempt or disgrace. Defamation includes both libel and slander.
Broadcasting is considered libel because of the widespread dissemination of the defamation.