Legal Definitions - seditious libel

Definition: Seditious libel is a type of libel that is made with the intention of inciting sedition. It is a defamatory statement expressed in a fixed medium, such as writing, that is designed to expose a person to hatred, contempt, or ridicule and may subject the author to criminal sanctions. However, like other forms of criminal libel, seditious libel is no longer prosecuted.

Example: An example of seditious libel would be if a newspaper published an article that encouraged people to overthrow the government or incited violence against a particular group of people. This type of libel is considered dangerous because it can lead to unrest and instability in society.

Explanation: The example illustrates seditious libel because it involves a defamatory statement expressed in a fixed medium (newspaper article) that is designed to incite sedition (overthrowing the government or violence against a particular group of people). This type of libel is no longer prosecuted because of constitutional protections of free speech, but it is still considered dangerous because it can lead to harm and instability in society.