What is Libel?

• A. Spreading of false or injurious information to another in written form
• B. Spreading of false or injurious information verbally
• C. A court order
• D. A medical term

Answer: (A)

Libel is a form of defamation where false statements about a person are communicated in writing, causing harm to that person’s reputation. The key feature that distinguishes libel from other types of defamation is the written (or fixed, published) nature of the statement. Spreading false or injurious information verbally is slander, not libel. A court order is something different entirely, and a medical term has no relation to defaming someone. In libel, the statement must be false, published to at least one other person, and capable of damaging the person’s reputation; truth is a defense, and statements of opinion not presented as fact may be protected.