Libel refers to defamation in which form?

• A. Written or printed words.
• B. Spoken words and transitory gestures.
• C. Per se statements only.
• D. Truthful statements.

Answer: (A)

Libel is the written form of defamation. It involves false statements about someone that are published or fixed in a durable medium—like a newspaper, book, magazine, website, or other written or printed material—resulting in harm to the person’s reputation. The other forms described fit slander, which covers defamation spoken aloud or conveyed through transitory gestures rather than in a fixed, written record. Truthful statements are not defamatory, since truth is generally a complete defense to a defamation claim.