What is the difference between libel and slander?

• A. Slander is defamation in written form; libel is defamation in verbal form.
• B. Libel is defamation in written form; slander is defamation in verbal form.
• C. Libel is defamation; slander is not defamation.
• D. Libel and slander are both non-defamatory terms.

Answer: (B)

The key idea is how the defamatory statement is communicated. Libel is defamation that's written or otherwise fixed in a tangible form, like a newspaper article, a blog post, or an email. Slander is defamation spoken aloud or not fixed in a lasting form, like a spoken rumor or a broadcast remark. Both involve false statements presented as facts that harm someone’s reputation, but the distinction is between written/recorded (libel) and spoken (slander). For example, a newspaper article accusing someone of a crime is libel; a spoken rumor about someone is slander. The other options mix up the forms or deny that defamation exists, which isn’t correct.