| While office gossip is generally as harmless as it | | | | party must indicate whether the type of |
| seems, there are instances in which an individual | | | | defamation was slander or libel. Libel is when a |
| can sue for damages when someone tries to give | | | | harmful statement is published in a fixed medium |
| them a bad name. This is defamation, an aspect | | | | of durable form such as a newspaper, magazine, |
| of tort law which allows one to seek monetary | | | | newsletter, film, television broadcast, internet |
| damages when a statement is made that claims, | | | | website . Whether or not libel can occur on blogs |
| with an implication of complete truth, that may | | | | or internet bulletin or discussion boards is a hotly |
| give an individual, business, product, group, | | | | debated topic. The scope and frame of libel has |
| government or nation a negative image. This | | | | grown rapidly as the internet becomes more and |
| negative image must result in some form of | | | | more of a vital source of publication in our |
| damage to emotional state or monetary standing. | | | | society. Although the most common form of libel |
| The one golden rule in both libel and slander | | | | is a harmful statement in the form of written |
| defamation cases is that the negative image that | | | | words, it can also be a suggestive picture, sign or |
| was portrayed must be false. The statement | | | | electronic broadcast. |
| must also have been communicated to someone | | | | Slander |
| other than the defamed person or entity. | | | | Slander is when the false, defaming statement is |
| There is some leeway in defamation suits in | | | | made through a fleeting form, such as speech, |
| regards to the complete, undeniable truth of the | | | | sign language or gestures. Both libel and slander |
| defaming statement. One can still sue under the | | | | cases require that the defaming statement or |
| defamation law of false light even if the | | | | material was published. Random conversation such |
| statement was technically true but still misleading. | | | | as gossip at a bar or around the office does not |
| False light is only intended to protect emotional | | | | qualify as slander. |
| state or well-being and has more restrictions on | | | | Publications and individuals alike need to use |
| damages than that of slander or libel defamation. | | | | caution when publishing potentially damaging |
| Libel | | | | material. Defamation can be avoided as long as |
| When a defamation lawsuit involving a false and | | | | the facts are straight. |
| damaging statement is taken out, the defamed | | | | |
