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REVIEW PAPER
Defamation Law and Media: Challenges of the Digital Age
by
Melisa Zukić 1 
, Abdurrahman Zukić 2
1 International Burch University, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
2 Faculty of Law, International University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
ABSTRACT
The fast-paced evolution of digital media and the internet has fundamentally changed how information is gathered and disseminated. This fact poses challenges to the legal aspect of understanding and recognizing defamation in the digital media age leaning on the normative and ethical theoretical approach it has in society. This paper examines the interplay between the legal concept of defamation and digital media, striving to understand the complexities that the development of digital media platforms introduced. The pervasive nature of online communication amplifies the potential reputational harm. Such a situation needs an evolving legal framework capable of balancing the protection of individuals’ reputations and the principles of free speech. Therefore, this work examines difficulties in applying existing legal standards to a new digital environment including the issues of identification and liability of online publishers, as well as cross-border defamation cases and their jurisdictional problems. Through a comprehensive analysis of recent legal and academic writing, this paper evaluates the effectiveness of current defamation law. Hence, it examines the role of internet intermediaries and issues of their liability, emphasizing the need for clarity in legal responsibility, and adjusting to the new realities of the current media space. So, this paper seeks to contribute to developing a more robust and nuanced legal framework that can effectively address the complexities of defamation in the age of digital media. Ultimately, it calls for international collaboration and cooperation in developing innovative strategies to navigate the landscape of digital communication while maintaining fundamental rights and freedoms. Conflict: The authors declare a conflict of interest due to a kinship relationship; Abdurrahman Zukić is the son of Melisa Zukić.
Keywords: Defamation, Defamation law, Digital media, Normative theory model, Ethical theory, Social responsibility
HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE
Zukić M., Zukić A. (2024). Defamation Law and Media: Challenges of the Digital Age, MAP Education and Humanities, 5, 98-109. doi: https://doi.org/10.53880/2744-2373.2024.5.98