Blogger Rhoda Bharath Ordered to Pay Almost $100,000 in Damages for Defamatory Post About Mp Roodal Moonilal, Court Rules.

Blogger and journalist Rhoda Bharath has been ordered to pay Oropouche East MP Dr. Roodal Moonilal $75,000 in general damages and $19,000 in costs for a defamatory post on her social media page in April 2020. Justice Margaret Mohammed ruled on February 21, stating that Bharath’s comments were “serious, accusatory, and sarcastic.” Moonilal had denied being under police investigation, which Bharath suggested in her post about his donation of bottled water to the police. The judge found Bharath’s evidence insufficient to support her claims, ruling that she failed to prove Moonilal was under investigation. The ruling emphasized the importance of responsible journalism and the harm caused by unsubstantiated allegations. While the judge did not award exemplary damages, she affirmed the harm to Moonilal’s reputation.