Difference between Libel and Slander

Basis

Libel

Slander

Meaning

The spread of a false assertion in written or visual form that harms the reputation of an individual, group, service, nation, governmental entity, religion, or community.

Defaming (sending a false message that harms the reputation) of a person, business, product, organization, government, religion, or country by spoken words or nonverbal cues.

Type

Tangible, because it involves a permanent record, such as written or visual communication that can be preserved and referred to later.

Intangible, because it involves spoken words or nonverbal cues that may not leave a permanent record and are more fleeting in nature.

Burden of Proof

In English law, the defendant; in American law, the plaintiff.

In English law, on the defendant; in American law, on the plaintiff.

Cause for Action

A false statement that the speaker knew or should have known to be false that is disclosed to a third party and harms the subject of the communication.

A false statement that the speaker knew or should have known to be false that is disclosed to a third party and harms the subject of the communication.

Punishment

Usually amicable and financial. It is illegal to criticize public leaders in a seditious manner.

Usually amicable and financial.

Special Damages

Plaintiffs alleging slander have to show special damages.

Doesn’t require the plaintiff to prove special damages.

Example

New York Times vs. Sullivan

Food Label Law

Difference between Libel and Slander

Libel and Slander are types of defamation, where untrue statements are made that damage someone’s reputation. The key difference lies in the medium: libel refers to written or published defamation, such as in newspapers, magazines, or online posts, while slander is spoken defamation, typically conveyed through speech, gestures, or broadcast media. Both can have serious legal consequences, but the distinction in the medium is crucial in determining the appropriate legal recourse.

Table of Content

  • What is Libel?
  • What is Slander?
  • Difference between Libel and Slander
  • Conclusion
  • Difference between Libel and Slander- FAQs

Similar Reads

What is Libel?

When a false assertion is published in writing of any kind, it is called libel. Print, written, graphic, and digital communications, including books, magazines, newspapers, and newsletters, can all fall under this category. Websites for social media blogs. It is libelous if the false assertion is represented in print or digitally. To establish libel, a plaintiff needs to demonstrate: that an incorrect statement was written, the statement was disseminated to third parties by publication or other means, the defendant was at fault (due to carelessness or deliberate maliciousness), and the plaintiff suffered consequences including damage to their reputation, financial loss, disdain, scorn, public hostility, ridicule, or humiliation....

What is Slander?

A false statement said aloud that damages someone’s reputation is called slander, which is a kind of defamation. This used to include making up anything in public, such as during a business conference or town hall meeting. Nevertheless, as technology has advanced, it has become increasingly difficult to distinguish between libel and slander. Podcasts are digitally published voice utterances, for example, but text messages might be seen as more defamatory than comments on social media since they seem more like phone conversations; i.e., they could be considered libel....

Difference between Libel and Slander

...

Conclusion

Defamation that takes place when a statement is written down and disseminated in a way that is clear and permanent is known as libel. When a defamatory comment is spoken orally, it is called slander. Libel and slander vary primarily in that libel is centered on writings that include defamatory statements, whereas slander involves malicious speech. Interestingly, the English courts have contributed to the shift in the perception of defamatory information on websites, with many now believing that it is more appropriate for speech on the Internet than it is in conventional print media, even if the content was previously viewed as libelous rather than slanderous....

Libel and Slander- FAQs

If broadcast speech isn’t written, why is it considered libel?...

Contact Us