Online defamation
Online defamation in Australia
Australian specialists in addressing defamatory online content. We coordinate with defamation counsel on takedown pathways, pursue platform-policy removals where grounds exist, and build search suppression where they don't. Free assessment within one business day. Confidential, no obligation.
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Free assessment
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Obligation
Our role
We coordinate, not litigate
ORMA doesn't provide legal advice. We coordinate with Australian defamation counsel on the takedown pathway and handle the content and search-result side of the work. The right structure depends on your specific situation.
Coordinated with counsel
We work alongside your nominated defamation lawyer (or recommend one if you don't have one).
Multi-pathway approach
Legal action, platform policy, publisher engagement, suppression. Each pathway applies in different situations.
Suppression in parallel
While legal pathways run, suppression reduces the damaging content's visibility on branded searches.
What defamation looks like online
Common defamation scenarios we help with
Defamation can take many forms online. Each scenario has different pathways, evidentiary requirements, and likely outcomes.
Defamatory forum or social-media posts
Posts on Whirlpool, Reddit, Facebook, X, or independent blogs containing false statements of fact that damage your reputation.
Inaccurate or misleading news articles
News coverage with factual errors, missing context, or omissions that materially affect how the article portrays you.
Anonymous online attacks
Defamatory commentary from accounts you can't identify directly. Pathway often starts with platform-level disclosure requests.
Competitor disinformation
False claims about your professional conduct or business practices posted by commercial competitors.
Coverage of dismissed matters
News coverage of legal proceedings that were withdrawn, dismissed, or settled, where the article remains uncorrected.
Defamatory reviews on consumer platforms
Reviews containing false statements of fact (not opinion) that damage your reputation. Defamation grounds apply where the review crosses the line from opinion to fact.
How we pursue removal
From assessment to outcome
Every matter starts with a free assessment by our Australian team. Within one business day you have a clear view of the realistic options across legal pathways, platform requests, and suppression.
Free assessment
Send us the specific content. Within 24 hours an Australian specialist outlines the realistic options.
Legal review
Coordinated with defamation counsel. Identifies whether legal grounds exist and the appropriate pre-action steps.
Action in parallel
Concerns notice, platform requests, publisher engagement, suppression. Multiple pathways worked at once.
Ongoing protection
Monitor for new defamatory content. Reinforce the positive footprint over time.
When removal isn't possible
Build the search presence that outranks the damage
Some defamatory content can't be removed: untraceable anonymous posts, content on hostile platforms, jurisdictionally complex matters. In those cases, search suppression is the path: build a stronger search footprint of accurate content under your name so the defamatory content drops off the first page.
Popular questions
Common defamation questions
If your question isn't here, ask us during the free assessment.
What counts as defamation under Australian law?
Defamation generally requires a published statement that identifies you and lowers your reputation in the eyes of ordinary people. Australian defamation law is state-based (with the Uniform Defamation Acts harmonising key elements) and has specific thresholds for serious harm, defences (truth, honest opinion, contextual truth), and pre-action requirements (concerns notice). We don't provide legal advice ourselves; we coordinate with defamation counsel on the takedown pathway.
Do I need a lawyer to address defamatory content online?
For platform requests under defamation grounds, a lawyer is often required for the formal concerns notice and any subsequent proceedings. Where platform-policy grounds also exist (false statements of fact, identity-related rules), we can pursue those independently. The free assessment identifies which pathways are available and what each one requires.
What if I can't afford to take defamation action?
Many situations have non-litigation pathways that don't require a full proceeding: concerns notices that settle, platform-policy requests under existing rules, publisher right-of-reply negotiations, and search suppression. The free assessment lays out the options at multiple cost levels before you commit.
How quickly does defamatory content need to be addressed?
Australian defamation has a one-year limitation period for most claims (from publication, with some discoverability extensions). Acting faster generally means more pathways are available, but waiting doesn't automatically eliminate options. The free assessment within one business day gives you a realistic timeline.
What happens if the platform refuses removal?
Where the platform refuses and legal proceedings aren't the right path, suppression is the alternative: build a stronger search footprint of accurate content under your name so the defamatory content drops off the first page of searches. Often this is run in parallel with the legal pathway to manage exposure during the process.
Is the engagement confidential?
Yes. Confidential and no obligation. Communications with us about a potential defamation matter are subject to our standard confidentiality obligations. For legally privileged advice, work alongside your lawyer; we coordinate with them throughout.
Profession-specific guidance: lawyers, business owners, public-facing professionals, or read our step-by-step process.
Find out what's actually possible in your situation
Free, confidential, no obligation. Most assessments back within one business day.
Get Free ProposalWe don't provide legal advice. Outcomes depend on the specific content, applicable jurisdiction, available evidence, and platform or search conditions.