What is the legal difference between libel and slander?
Cari H asked:
If I happen to mention (to several people) something about a person that I know is unflattering to them, and this information is not the type that they would chose to broadcast themselves. And this information is true, and not disclosing it could potentially harm others, do they have any rights as far as taking legal action against what I have said. If I happen to mention their ’situation’ to others?
If I happen to mention (to several people) something about a person that I know is unflattering to them, and this information is not the type that they would chose to broadcast themselves. And this information is true, and not disclosing it could potentially harm others, do they have any rights as far as taking legal action against what I have said. If I happen to mention their ’situation’ to others?
Sure, they can sue you. But if you can prove that what you have said is true, you win. It’s only libel or slander if you lie, or exaggerate to the point of stretching too far.
Libel is written, slander is spoken. Hard to prove either. They have to show you acted maliciously, and that they were harmed in some way.
Slander is spoken; libel is printed.
Found this:
“Generally speaking, defamation is the issuance of a false statement about another person, which causes that person to suffer harm. Slander involves the making of defamatory statements by a transitory (non-fixed) representation, usually an oral (spoken) representation. Libel involves the making of defamatory statements in a printed or fixed medium, such as a magazine or newspaper. ”
There is a lot on the page concerning this topic, including the following:
“The most important defense to an action for defamation is “truth”, which is an absolute defense to an action for defamation. “
Slander is spoken and Libel is written.
As long as what you said or wrote is true and you can prove it,they can’t win.
If you were asked to keep the info confidential,they might be able to sue for breach of confidentiality.