The Fight Against Defamation in the Music Industry
The music business must adapt to the ongoing battle against defamation campaigns on the Internet, which many artists encounter on social media.
In 2022, Cardi B secured a multimillion-dollar victory in a Federal slander case against a YouTuber, as the court determined the allegations were filled with false and malicious statements.
K-Pop and Legal Actions Against Misinformation
More recently, K-Pop giant Hybe, home to BTS and other major acts, has initiated legal actions in an attempt to unmask multiple anonymous YouTubers allegedly spreading false information about their artists, including private life and business practices.
With the rise of AI-driven deepfake technology, the distinction between legitimate criticism and calculated character assassination is becoming increasingly blurred.
This latest development serves as a reminder that even the most recognizable figures in the music industry, boasting long careers, are not immune to these threats.
Web-Sheriff, a global online protection firm whose past clients include Prince, Bob Dylan, and Beyoncé, has conducted a wide-ranging investigation which they describe as “an ongoing campaign of fraud, misinformation, and slander targeting Morrissey.
In a statement sent to MBW, Web-Sheriff claims to have identified a person of interest regarding the alleged online defamation campaign, expecting to uncover additional perpetrators in Britain, Europe, and the United States.
The company asserts they found evidence indicating a concerted effort to associate the artist with false narratives intended to discredit him and distort his character.
They add that “The objective of this deceit is to link the artist to racist and far-right ideology, misleadingly associating them with such diatribes.“
Legal Actions and Accusations Against Morrissey
The announcement from Web-Sheriff coincides with an existing lawsuit filed by Morrissey against an alleged perpetrator.
A letter of termination and cancellation, received by MBW, reveals that Morrissey instructed the law firm Levy & McRae to take action against a British individual believed to be managing numerous social media accounts dedicated to posting “false, harmful, and slanderous” content about the artist.
The letter sent to the alleged perpetrator accuses them of running social media accounts that have published “a vast quantity of material about our client almost daily, often multiple times a day.“
Levy & McRae asserts in their legal letter that the alleged perpetrator not only engaged in online harassment but also “left and/or posted written materials at our client’s residence” — actions reportedly captured on video surveillance.
The firm also claims that the actions pose a threat of disappearance to members of Morrissey’s family, placing them “at significant risk of physical and emotional harm, along with online attacks and reputational damage.“
Levy & McRae has reported this matter to the police.
The legal letter specifically targets the political content of the updates on social media, stating: “The narrative of your posts is almost exclusively linked to right-leaning politics, particularly policies that directly contradict our client and everything he has stood for throughout his career.”
It describes Morrissey as “apolitical, pacifist, and someone who has never affiliated with any political party or voted.”
The letter accuses the alleged perpetrator of falsely portraying Morrissey’s family members as having far-right sympathies and managing unofficial social media accounts, asserting that the letter represents “a substantial amount of your malicious fabrication.”
“The narrative of your posts is almost exclusively related to right-leaning politics, particularly policies that directly contradict our client.”
Levy & McRae’s legal letter
The letter continues: “You create and perpetuate a harmful global narrative that is inaccurate, slanderous and has prompted the media to repeat these falsehoods.”
This raises a provocative question for both music fans and media: to what extent may the recent public narratives surrounding Morrissey be influenced by a politically motivated misinformation campaign?
Immediate Request for Content Removal
In his correspondence, Morrissey demands the immediate removal of any content linking to him from the alleged perpetrator’s social media accounts and blogs.
He also requests a written assurance to “cease and refrain from publishing any materials about our client on the Internet for all time.”
The proposed agreement, mentioned in the legal letter, aims to prohibit the individual from contacting Morrissey “by any means, including mail, correspondence, or any form of communication,” as well as from attending events where he is present or performing.
The case highlights the increasing challenges public figures face in the digital age, where information—true or false—can spread globally with minimal accountability.
Web-Sheriff’s investigation represents what the company calls a “decisive step in combating this rising threat.”
According to Web-Sheriff, Morrissey “maintains minimal online presence and does not own a smartphone” and, as stated, “he has never interacted with those targeting him.”
