defamation laws
Slander legal protections
Defamation laws are legal rules governing false statements that harm someone's reputation.
They distinguish between libel (written) and slander (spoken), requiring plaintiffs to prove the statement was false, published to others, and caused damage.
Public figures face a higher bar—they must show "actual malice," meaning the speaker knew the statement was false or recklessly disregarded the truth.
The newspaper settled rather than fight the defamation lawsuit.
- libelPrinted defamation
- actual maliceIntentional or reckless falsehood
- fair commentLegal defense for criticism
- slanderSpoken false defamation
- chilling effectDiscouragement through intimidation
retraction · court filing · public figure · free speech · lie · burden of proof · truth · settlement agreements · punitive damages · courtroom · whistleblowing · cease and desist · newspaper · newspaper headline · judge · tabloid · authoritarianism · damages
defamation lawsFirst Amendment
Constitutional free expression guarantee
freedom of expression · press freedom · speech rights · marketplace of ideas · editorial freedom
defamation lawswhistleblower protections
Laws shielding those reporting misconduct