There was a time when all publications were recorded in print. Today, the internet has provided a platform for anyone to post essentially anything, at any time of the day. While there are numerous benefits to this, there are also potential drawbacks.
Sadly, not everyone posts online with good intentions. It is possible for individuals to post malicious and untrue statements about an individual or company.
This is exactly what has happened in your case. What can you do about it?
Approach the writer directly
Sometimes, a simple discussion with the person who wrote the publication can convince them to remove the defamatory statement. They may not have realized how harmful the statement was and the damage it could do to your reputation. The quicker the post can be removed, the less harm you will suffer, and contacting the writer is often the fastest route to removal.
Contact the website’s owner
You’ve tried to reason with the writer and they are not having it. What can you do now? There’s a chance that they may have published the defamatory remarks without first seeking approval from the owner of the website. It may benefit you to contact this company and inform them about the situation. Few companies are willing to take the risk of posting defamatory material, so this could result in the content being taken down quickly.
You have legal options
Even when defamatory material has been removed, it’s often too late and the damage has already been done. Your reputation is important and there are ways to protect it. Defamation is a nuanced area of law but seeking legal guidance will give you a better idea of where you stand.