Defamation Law of UAE
In the recent past, many cases have been reported concerning defamation with the help of the social media in the UAE. There is no difference set out when one looks at derogatory statement on the social media and the derogatory statement published on newspaper or any book. Owing to the easy accessibility and an informal nature of the social media, the publishers of such defamatory comments face more serious penalty when compared to the defamation over print media. The reason behind the same is that the effect of defamation on social media will be much greater and heinous as compared to the traditional print media.
The government of the UAE has established a criminal charge for the act of defamation, i.e. for any defamatory comment, which can be named or unnamed. Unlike the western countries, in UAE it is considered as a criminal offense. The two primary offenses of defamation are mentioned in the UAE penal code under article 372 and 373. When a person faces public hatred or contempt due to any publicity, it is covered under 372. On the other hand, when a dishonest allegation is made on a person which is malicious in nature and which results in the humiliation of the person in the public is covered under article 373.
The things that the complainant has to prove is as follows:
- The comment was fake as well as derogatory
- The comment was made in front of the third party.
- The complainant had to face damage due to it.