You wanted to raise the issue of unfair insinuation and "passing slur on the professional intergrity of another member". If you take this to a natural conclusion, it would mean that you are saying someone has defamed or slandered the member (gravemaid, in this case).
If gravemaid honestly feels she has been slandered or defamed, she can sue. But you can't, since you're not the one being slandered or defamed.
Just be aware that to sue for slander or defamation, the plaintiff has to be quite sure of his own case, since losing means also paying the other party's legal costs.
First, the plaintiff would have to prove that ZC uttered the words in public, and that the words used were actually libellous. That's not easy in this case, given that what ZC said was, "if XXX did not deliver, then XXX did not fulfil her obligations". Note the "if". In my view, ZC made a comment, not a statement of fact.
Second, she'd have to prove that the words actually hurt her reputation and standing, and caused her to be subject to ridicule, odium and public contempt.
Also, remember that "fair comment" is a common defence for slander/defamation suits. Fair comment means that, under the circumstances, it would be a reasonable conclusion that could be drawn by a reasonable man. Whether the comment is right or wrong is unimportant. What is important is whether there was a reasonable basis for the comments.
In this case, having seen no photos of anyone in full bikini, even after making repeated requests to post such photos, it would appear that "fair comment" could be a viable defence.
Anyway, all this is legal theory. I could be right, I could be wrong, it depends on the facts of the case, whether I interpreted the law correctly, how well it is argued in court, etc.
Morally, it's a separate matter. You feel he was out of line. I don't, but I doubt anyone can change your feelings.
But life goes on.
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PS In law, it's not about "fair" or "unfair". There is only "guilty" or "not guilty", "true" or "untrue", and "proven" or "unproven".
student said:
The issue is not just this shoot. The issue is more than this shoot. The issue is an unfair insinuation of a breach of contract by Gravemaid and the models. A slur casts at the professional standing of Gravemaid and the models.
I was at the shoot, and the ladies were in bikinis. There was absolutely no ground whatsoever for anyone to insinuate that Gravemaid and the models did not fulfill their part of the "transaction".
Maybe others might feel that it is a small matter. But I feel that those that make such insinuations should not be allowed to get away. That is the reason why I took up the cudgel.
