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How is libel different from slander?

On Behalf of | Jun 14, 2024 | Defamation

Both libel and slander are different examples of defamation. Both can cause significant harm. For instance, a celebrity or a public figure who suffers defamation may claim that it harmed their reputation and their earnings, so they want to seek financial damages because the things said about them weren’t true.

The main difference between the two is just the form in which the statements are made. If those statements were spoken out loud, such as claims made during a public speech, then it’s an example of slander. If the statements were written down, such as claims made in an autobiography, then it is an example of libel.

The complexities of the modern era

In today’s world, these lines have become somewhat blurry. Defamation can take place in many different ways, especially on the Internet.

For example, say that someone writes a disparaging comment on a social media site, such as Facebook or Twitter. Since many people use social media for personal communications, does this post count as something that they “said” or does it count as something that they wrote? They may have typed out the text, but making a post on social media is not nearly the same process as publishing a book or a magazine.

What are your options?

If you’ve experienced defamation, it probably feels very unfair. You didn’t do anything wrong and you don’t deserve this negative mark on your reputation. It may even impact your earnings and your financial future. For all of these reasons and more, it’s very important to understand all of the legal options that you have at this time.