What should a media relations director do when facing a defamation claim based on a true statement?

When dealing with a defamation claim, it is crucial to understand the legal definition of defamation itself. For a statement to be considered defamatory, it must be false and must cause harm to the reputation of the individual or entity involved. In this scenario, since the statement in question is true, it does not meet the criteria for defamation. Therefore, highlighting that true statements cannot be the basis for a defamation claim is a key aspect of defending against such claims.

This approach focuses on clarifying the legal standards that must be met for a defamation case to proceed, thereby addressing the claim without escalating the situation unnecessarily. It allows for an informed discussion about the parameters of defamation law and protects the integrity of the statement made while ensuring that any potential misunderstanding is addressed.

The other options, while they might seem relevant, do not provide an effective strategy for handling defamation claims based on truth. Ignoring the claims could lead to further misunderstandings, demanding a retraction without legal grounds can escalate tensions without resolution, and threatening legal action might provoke a more significant conflict rather than clarifying the facts.