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VOL. 12, ISSUE 1 (2026)
The use of social media and the liability for defamation
Authors
Thomas O Okaba, George R C Ibekwe, Chi Eric Nnadozie
Abstract
The soaring adoption and use of Information
and Communications, Technology has given birth to a New media called the social
media. social media are platforms for electronic communication which enable
users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages,
and other contents. Being computer-based technology, it facilitates the sharing
of ideas, thoughts, and information through the building of virtual networks
and communities. Social media platforms have presented unparalleled opportunities
for individuals, organizations
and governments across the globe to network in order to enhance career
opportunities. However, with all the attendant benefits and gains of the use of
the social media comes huge responsibility of balancing the exercise of the
right to freedom of expression through the use of Social Media on the one hand
and the protection of the reputation of individual and organization from
defamation; and the prevention of acquirement of criminal liabilities.
Employing the doctrinal research methodology, this work ex-rayed social media,
defamation; civil and criminal liabilities that may result from the use of
social media platforms. It found that, the absence of comprehensive legislation
governing the use of the internet and/or social media and the availability of
the social media platforms for little or no cost, coupled with the absence of
facts checking mechanism, amongst others, have greatly encouraged and
increased the publication and republication of defamatory and other liability-carrying
statements on the social media. It recommended inter alia, the enactment of a
comprehensive legislation that will govern the use of the social media and;
public enlightenment by the appropriate authorities.
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Pages:311-319
How to cite this article:
Thomas O Okaba, George R C Ibekwe, Chi Eric Nnadozie "The use of social media and the liability for defamation". International Journal of Law, Vol 12, Issue 1, 2026, Pages 311-319
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