What is the difference between slander and libel?

Slander and libel are two different forms of defamation, which are actions that can damage someone’s reputation. In Indiana, the law defines slander as speaking false or malicious words that harm a person’s good reputation. When slander occurs, the victim has to prove that the false statement caused them harm. Libel, on the other hand, consists of written false statements that damage a person’s reputation. Libel does not require a plaintiff to prove harm, but rather just show that the false statement was made. Slander is usually considered more serious than libel. This is because slander is spoken and can spread very quickly while libel is generally written and thus more contained. For example, if someone were to call another person a liar or thief and broadcast it to a large group of people, that would be considered slander, but if someone wrote that same statement in a newspaper, that would be considered libel. Overall, the main difference between slander and libel is that slander is verbal defamation while libel is written. Both can cause harm and both are illegal in Indiana. It is important to remember that any kind of false statement made with the intent to harm another person’s reputation can be considered defamation and therefore punished under the law.

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