What is the difference between libel and slander in terms of elements?

Libel and slander are both forms of defamation law in Virginia. Defamation law is a set of laws that give people the right to protect their reputation from being wrongfully attacked. It is illegal to make false statements in any format that harms another person’s reputation. The main difference between libel and slander lies in the way the false statement is communicated. Libel occurs when a false statement is written or published, either in print or online. This could include publishing an article, posting a tweet or blog, or even sending a text message. Slander describes any false statement that is spoken out loud. This includes talking to someone about another person in order to wrongfully hurt their reputation. In addition, the elements of libel and slander are also different. In order to prove libel, the plaintiff must establish that the defendant made a false statement, that the statement was published in some form, and that the false statement was seen or heard by others, resulting in harm to the plaintiff. On the other hand, in order to prove slander, the plaintiff must establish that the defendant made a false statement, that the statement was heard by someone other than the plaintiff, and that the false statement resulted in harm to the plaintiff. Overall, libel and slander are both forms of defamation law in Virginia. The main difference between the two is the way in which the false statement is communicated, as libel is written or published, whereas slander is spoken. Additionally, the elements of each also differ, with libel requiring the false statement to have been seen or heard by others, and slander requiring the false statement to have been heard by someone other than the plaintiff.

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What is the difference between libel and slander in terms of elements?

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