There exists a delicate difference between a person’s freedom of speech and another’s right to protection of identity and status. It often becomes difficult to control the incensed hotheads for giving statements which affects the reputation of the other person in the society and labels it under the freedom to speech. It has become the question to think whether – What to speak in public and what not to speak. This makes the need and understanding of defamation law more vital. This strengthens the need of defamation law. Unlike many other countries such as China, Former Soviet Union, Netherland etc., which adhere to only one type of defamation, India has both – civil defamation and criminal defamation. Though, not much difference exists between criminal and civil defamation. The only distinguishing factor is the punishment awarded in each case, which becomes a legal grey area. Many countries such as UK, US, Sri Lanka, Dominican Republic etc., has removed criminal defamation...
