What is the difference between slander and libel?

Slander and libel are both forms of defamation, which is the act of making a false statement about someone or making a statement that causes harm to a person’s reputation. In Washington, slander is defined as a false statement that is spoken, while libel is defined as a false statement that is published in some form (e.g. newspaper, TV show, website). Slander is often harder to prove because it is not written down, but is instead spoken. For a person to prove that they have been slandered, they must provide evidence of the false statement being said about them. This can be difficult, as it requires collecting witness testimonies or audio recordings of the statement. Libel is easier to prove because it is written down and can be seen by many people. For a person to prove libel, they must provide evidence of a false statement that has been published in some form. They must also be able to show that they have been harmed as a result of the statement being published. It is important to note that in Washington, slander and libel are both against the law and anyone who is found to have committed them could be sued for damages. The laws around slander and libel help to protect individuals from false and damaging statements being made about them by others.

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What is the difference between slander and libel?

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