If someone has made a harmful/damaging statement about you or your business online, your first step should be to notify the online platform that is hosting the offending content – e.g. Trademe, Facebook, etc. Platform hosts often have an easy method to allow you to report the post.  On Facebook for example, if you hit the three dots at the top of the post, the popup menu includes a “report post” option.

 

You can ask Netsafe for help. Netsafe’s services are free of charge.  It is approved under the Harmful Digital Communications Act (HDCA) to investigate complaints about online abuse and intimidation, like bullying, harassment, and revenge porn – which can include online defamatory statements.

 

Netsafe has relationships with many online platforms and can negotiate on your behalf to have the material taken down.

 

Another option is to send the author of the content a cease and desist letter – a lawyer can help with this.

 

The last option is to bring proceedings in court under the Defamation Act – again, a lawyer can help you with this too.

 

Wishing you a defamation-free holiday season!

Joanne Dickson