Does the claimant have to prove that the statement in a defamation case was false?

In defamation cases, the standard typically involves whether the defendant can demonstrate that the statement made was true. This means that the claimant does not have to prove that the statement was false; rather, the burden may shift to the defendant to prove the truth of their statements, particularly in cases involving public figures or matters of public interest.

In many jurisdictions, if the defendant claims that their statement is true, then it is the defendant's responsibility to back that claim. Therefore, if the claimant does not have to prove falsity, they can focus instead on proving that the defendant's statements were defamatory and caused harm to their reputation. This is an essential element of understanding how defamation law operates within media contexts, as it places significant emphasis on the potential defenses available to a defendant who has made a contentious statement.