How to Deal with Slander Accusations on Your Social Media Platforms: Tips for Business Leaders
More than half of the world’s population is on social media. It is a huge part of our lives and is embedded in everything we do. Accusations of slander, such as defamation of character, are a serious crime, but business leaders are not exempt from insults or slander online.
Dealing with unfair or false accusations can be extremely distressing. It’s even more difficult to repair a company’s name once a certain reputation has been established, but there are ways to avoid these problems in the first place. If your business has already been misrepresented or you’re worried it might happen, these tips will help you deal with whatever happens.
never participate
Many accusations of slander can be avoided or forgotten relatively easily if you choose not to get involved with the slanderer. Slander is considered a harmful lie that ruins the reputation of a person or company and is generally a false accusation. Unless there is a major concern regarding the company’s image, remain calm and ignore any and all defamatory statements.
If there is a particular entity involved in online slander, block them from your social media platforms. You can report libelous content in places like Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, so there is a level of security for your online business. The problem becomes more serious if the accusations become widespread and come from multiple different sources. This brings us to the next point.
Arm the business with legal representation
The accusations against the companies are just that: accusations. They are not true statements that have been validated. There are a million causes that can lead to a company being defamed on social media. From misrepresenting the company online to claims about employee safety, there are many factors you need to consider as a business leader.
One of the most critical tips is that you hire a team of attorneys for legal representation of a variety of operations. This includes health and safety, employee retirement and medical benefits, property damage, and many more. Apply for commercial liability insurance which will cover the business against several different scenarios.
Appoint a social media manager
Managing a company’s social media account is a lot of work, so it’s usually managed by a team of more than one person. However, be careful and have a hierarchical system where all posts and stories are uploaded by a specific person. This way, there’s less chance of someone accidentally posting something sensitive because they’re logged in with the wrong account.
Another common cause of defamation accusations is when a business is seen sharing another post. If you are received as negative by online users, it could be seen as an endorsement with the wrong person or company. Managing your social media accounts should be taken just as seriously as managing your corporate bank account. Make sure every post is triple-checked and don’t retweet or repost anything that could lead to the company being guilty by association.
Understand the common demands of social media
Most defamation lawsuits are due to very simple reasons that could have been avoided with a little effort. Be aware of things like using a copyrighted image. This also includes the use of another artist’s music in your marketing strategies. There are places online where you can find hundreds of thousands of resources for any image or video that is completely legal. You may have to pay for some photos and songs, but it’s a much better option than facing a lawsuit.
Another point to keep in mind is to share a photo that is associated with your business. Even if someone has posted a photo of you wearing a T-shirt with your brand, you can’t share that post or link to the company’s social media page. You must obtain permission if you plan to use those resources for your company accounts. The way social media has exploded in recent years makes it difficult for everyone to be protected from some form of defamation online. The key is to anticipate what could happen at any time and make sure you have these key factors in place to protect your business from false accusations online.