Defamation, Libel & Slander

This is part three of our “Insider Tips” series to help guide collectors and dealers as they trade, sell and buy philatelic material. Some guidance on how dealers are expected to serve and respect buyers exists, however, there is not an official policy that guides dealer conduct in relation to each other or collector conduct towards a dealer. Because such a seminal document does not exist, philately remains an industry guided by a few influential dealers or collectors and their opinions. This is obviously a conflict of interest and has led, at times, to mudslinging, gossiping and sharing of false information. It is our hope that this series inspires the thinking necessary to create a code of conduct policy that guides and protects both dealers and collectors. In this industry, perhaps more than in any other, reputation is imperative so damaging the reputation of another dealer almost always reveals a hidden agenda. If a dealer or a collector shares inflammatory information that is unproven or untrue there must be a mechanism through which they can be challenged. While dealer and collectors’ opinions can be useful, opinions are not proven facts. The Peoples Law School states:

“A good reputation is core to a person’s sense of self-worth and dignity. Once harmed, a good reputation is hard to regain, with sometimes devastating consequences, especially professionally. The law of defamation protects a person’s reputation from harm that is unjustified. Defamation is communication about a person that tends to hurt their reputation. It causes people who read or hear the communication to think less of the person.”

Until an official code of conduct has been developed and every dealer and collector are signatory to it, dealers and collectors must rely on the laws that exist in their Government. Find below, links to the British Columbia Libel and Slander Act, and the federal Justice Laws Website that define defamation, libel and slander.

We all need to apply common sense when hearing gossip and take it with a grain of salt. Consider the larger picture and question, not only what they are saying, but why they are saying it.