How is repetition of libel treated under defamation law?

Repetition of libel in defamation law is treated as fresh libel because each instance of repeating a defamatory statement can create a new cause of action. When someone repeats a statement that has already been deemed defamatory, they may be held liable as if they were the original author of that statement. This principle is important because it underscores the responsibility individuals have in sharing information, particularly in the context of potentially damaging statements about someone’s character or reputation. Each repetition can harm the individual’s reputation anew, hence why it is treated distinctly from the original publication.

The other options imply a different relationship to the original statement. For example, treating it as an extension would suggest that it is somehow linked to the original without establishing new liability, while considering it no different from the original publication might undermine the independent legal consequences of each act of defamation. Lastly, stating that it has no legal standing would contradict the very essence of how the law protects individuals from reputational harm.