Blogs and Defamation of character

I am unsure of the legal frame workwork that Blogs exist in. Is a blog covered by the laws of the country of the hosting organisation (eg USA for Live Journal) or the country of the poster?

In legal terms is a blog the same as publishing something in a newspaper or magazine or broadcasting it on TV? Would it matter if the post was made on a friends-locked post; or to an audience that did not include the individual or organisation being defamed?

How would I find out if posting something that is defamatory about someone on a blog would count as libel?

I've posted this as an open post so that you can link to it if you think someone who does not read this journal could advise.

Thank you

Mel

Blogs and Defamation of character

I am unsure of the legal frame workwork that Blogs exist in. Is a blog covered by the laws of the country of the hosting organisation (eg USA for Live Journal) or the country of the poster?

In legal terms is a blog the same as publishing something in a newspaper or magazine or broadcasting it on TV? Would it matter if the post was made on a friends-locked post; or to an audience that did not include the individual or organisation being defamed?

How would I find out if posting something that is defamatory about someone on a blog would count as libel?

I've posted this as an open post so that you can link to it if you think someone who does not read this journal could advise.

Thank you

Mel