The article analyzes legislation, case law, resolutions of the highest judicial authorities on such offenses as libel, insult and dissemination of information discrediting the honor, dignity and business reputation of individuals. The peculiarities of their assessment in various branches of law are reviewed. The conducted legal analysis made it possible to define the category of «defamation» as a single anti-legal phenomenon the responsibility for which is implemented in various branches of law, as well as an increase in the statute of limitations for this category of cases.