The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department has launched a public awareness campaign warning social media users about the legal consequences of online defamation.
As part of its “Stories and Lessons” series, the department released a video titled A Brief Video… A Costly Price to illustrate the legal distinction between fair criticism and defamatory statements.
The campaign highlights a court case involving a social media influencer who filmed a well-known restaurant and posted a video containing remarks that authorities found to be defamatory toward the owner and the business.
According to the Judicial Department, the restaurant owner filed a complaint, arguing that the video damaged both his personal reputation and his business.
Investigators said the influencer admitted filming and publishing the video but claimed it was an act of criticism. Authorities concluded that the remarks went beyond legitimate review and constituted insult and defamation through electronic means.
A court later fined the influencer Dh30,000, ordered the deletion of the video and confiscated the mobile phone used to record it.
The court also ordered the payment of Dh51,000 in temporary civil compensation to the complainant, bringing the total financial penalty to Dh81,000.
The Judicial Department said the campaign aims to remind the public that freedom of expression does not extend to defamatory content that harms the reputation of individuals or businesses.
