What is the difference between libel and slander?

What is the difference between libel and slander?

• A. Slander is defamation in written form; libel is defamation in verbal form.
• B. Libel is defamation in written form; slander is defamation in verbal form.
• C. Libel is defamation; slander is not defamation.
• D. Libel and slander are both non-defamatory terms.

Answer: (B)

The key idea is how the defamatory statement is communicated. Libel is defamation that's written or otherwise fixed in a tangible form, like a newspaper article, a blog post, or an email. Slander is defamation spoken aloud or not fixed in a lasting form, like a spoken rumor or a broadcast remark. Both involve false statements presented as facts that harm someone’s reputation, but the distinction is between written/recorded (libel) and spoken (slander). For example, a newspaper article accusing someone of a crime is libel; a spoken rumor about someone is slander. The other options mix up the forms or deny that defamation exists, which isn’t correct.

The key idea is how the defamatory statement is communicated. Libel is defamation that's written or otherwise fixed in a tangible form, like a newspaper article, a blog post, or an email. Slander is defamation spoken aloud or not fixed in a lasting form, like a spoken rumor or a broadcast remark. Both involve false statements presented as facts that harm someone’s reputation, but the distinction is between written/recorded (libel) and spoken (slander). For example, a newspaper article accusing someone of a crime is libel; a spoken rumor about someone is slander. The other options mix up the forms or deny that defamation exists, which isn’t correct.