libel law
Written slander rules
Libel law is the body of legal rules governing written defamation—false statements that damage someone's reputation.
It covers what constitutes libel, available defenses (truth, opinion, privilege), and remedies for those harmed.
In the United States, public figures must prove actual malice—knowing falsity or reckless disregard for truth.
The newspaper's lawyers reviewed the article for libel law compliance.
- defamationFalse statements harming reputation
- slanderSpoken false defamation
- character assassinationDestroying someone's good name
- falsityState of being incorrect
- maliceIntent to cause harm
reputational harm · burden of proof · chilling effect · court of public opinion · cease and desist · free speech · actual malice · journalistic ethics · statute of limitations · punitive damages · deep pockets · editorial standards · summary judgment · public figure · newspaper · jurisdiction · publication · verdict
- media ethicsjournalism ethics, media ethics, media bias, journalistic ethics, journalistic integrity
- media lawmedia regulation, press laws, slander, defamation, free press
- journalismreporters, interview, editors, student editors, school paper
- Fleet StreetFleet Street, Daily Mail, The Times, The Guardian, Sunday Times
- media regulationcensorship, content moderation, press censorship, film censorship, art censorship
- press freedomfreedom of the press, press freedom, media freedom, press rights, editorial freedom
libel lawcancel culture
Mass public shunning online
trial by media · public shaming · social media pile-on · doxing