{"id":353457,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:59","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/torts-and-personal-injuries\/elements-of-libel-and-slander.html"},"modified":"2025-08-01T14:39:20","modified_gmt":"2025-08-01T19:39:20","slug":"elements-of-libel-and-slander","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/torts-and-personal-injuries\/elements-of-libel-and-slander.html","title":{"rendered":"Elements of Libel and Slander"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n<div class=\"fl-page-articles fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\"><h1 class=\"fl-no-margin-top\">Elements of Libel and Slander<\/h1>\n\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/robert-rafii-esq\/\">Robert Rafii, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by <a\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n                | Last updated\n        <time>\n                            August 01, 2025\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Legally Reviewed\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Fact-Checked\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n    <div class=\"fl-callout-text article-blockquote\">\n        <p>Defamation can involve libel or slander. Libelous statements refer to words that can be seen (typically written and published). Slander occurs when a defamatory statement is spoken or otherwise audible, such as a radio broadcast.<\/p>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Defamation laws protect the reputations of individuals and other entities. For example, they protect businesses from untrue and damaging statements. At the same time, the courts must protect freedom of speech.<\/p>\n<p>Slander and libel civil lawsuits often involve public figures or public officials. They allow for civil recovery of false statements made about them. However, it is important to strike a balance between two goals:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Protecting personal injury to reputation<\/li>\n<li>Protecting First Amendment rights to free speech that have been guaranteed by the Supreme Court<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A plaintiff in a defamation case will seek compensation for damage to their reputation. A defendant will seek to protect their speech. Whichever side of a lawsuit you&#8217;re on, you&#8217;ll want to talk to a <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/defamation\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">defamation lawyer<\/a> about your goals and strategy.<\/p>\n<h2>Elements of Defamation<\/h2>\n<p>To prove either type of defamation lawsuit, plaintiffs must usually prove all the following elements:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The defendant made a false statement of fact concerning the plaintiff.<\/li>\n<li>The defendant made the defamatory statement to a third party knowing it was false (or they should have known it was false).<\/li>\n<li>The defamatory statement was disseminated through a publication or communication.<\/li>\n<li>The plaintiff&#8217;s reputation suffered damage or harm.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In some cases, the plaintiff has the burden of proof for actual damages in the form of special damages. Actual damages are damages directly suffered, which can be calculated as a dollar amount of economic loss. Special damages compensate for expenses such as medical injuries from emotional distress.<\/p>\n<p>But even if damages are proven, truth is an absolute <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/torts-and-personal-injuries\/defenses-to-libel-and-slander.html\">defense to a defamation<\/a> case. If the defendant can show that their allegedly defamatory statement is, in fact, a true statement, they win.<\/p>\n<h3>False Light<\/h3>\n<p>Depending on the jurisdiction, some actions that don&#8217;t quite meet the level of defamation may give rise to a &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/torts-and-personal-injuries\/defamation-vs--false-light--what-is-the-difference-.html\">false light<\/a>&#8221; lawsuit. False light claims are a type of civil invasion of privacy. A difference of this type of claim (cause of action) is that it requires the defendant to put the plaintiff in a false light that is offensive.<\/p>\n<p>In some cases, it requires a showing of actual malice. For example, a defendant may post a falsity on social media with <a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/reckless-disregard-of-the-truth.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">reckless disregard for the truth<\/a>. In these situations, a plaintiff may be able to obtain punitive damages. These are exemplary damages intended to punish the defendant beyond the plaintiff&#8217;s regular damages.<\/p>\n<h3>Foreign Defamation Laws<\/h3>\n<p>The elements of defamation can vary in international cases. However, the United States can offer protection against <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/torts-and-personal-injuries\/what-is-libel-tourism.html\">libel tourism<\/a>, which is when a plaintiff sues in a different country solely because defamation is easier to prove under that country&#8217;s laws.<\/p>\n<h2>What Are Defamatory Statements?<\/h2>\n<p>According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ali.org\/publications\/show\/torts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">American Restatement of Torts<\/a>, a communication may be considered defamatory if \u201cit tends so to harm the reputation of another as to lower them in the estimation of the community, or to deter third persons from associating with them.&#8221; Defamation claims require that a defendant <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/torts-and-personal-injuries\/fault-required-for-defamation.html\">knowingly or negligently<\/a>\u00a0publish something defamatory about the plaintiff.<\/p>\n<p>Examples of defamatory statements are virtually limitless, including wrongful statements that:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Suggest the plaintiff was involved in a serious crime involving moral turpitude or a felony (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/torts-and-personal-injuries\/what-is-defamation-per-se-.html\">defamation per se<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>Expose a plaintiff to ridicule<\/li>\n<li>Reflect negatively on the plaintiff&#8217;s character, morality, or integrity<\/li>\n<li>Impair the plaintiff&#8217;s financial well-being<\/li>\n<li>Impute that the plaintiff suffers from a physical or mental defect (the defect would cause others to refrain from associating with the plaintiff)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>How Courts Decide if a Statement is Defamatory<\/h3>\n<p>Courts have long struggled\u00a0<span style=\"margin: 0px;padding: 0px\">with the task of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/torts-and-personal-injuries\/defamation-libel-and-slander-background.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">determining a standard<\/a> for deciding whether a statement is defamatory. While some individuals may view many statements as defamatory, others may not<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p>Generally, courts require a plaintiff to prove that they have been defamed in the eyes of a <a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/reasonable-person.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">reasonable person<\/a> or a defined group in the community. In judicial proceedings, juries usually decide this question for libel lawsuits in court.<\/p>\n<h3>Fact vs. Opinion in Defamation Cases<\/h3>\n<p>In general, statements of opinion cannot form the basis of a defamation action. However, if a statement implies defamatory facts about a person&#8217;s reputation as the basis of the opinion, it could be actionable. Determining whether a statement is a fact or an opinion can be difficult and is often contested in these cases. Often, the outcome of a defamation case hinges on this determination.<\/p>\n<h2>Publication Requirement in Libel Cases<\/h2>\n<p>A personal injury law requirement in libel cases is that the defendant must have\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/torts-and-personal-injuries\/defamation-law-the-basics.html\">published defamatory information<\/a>\u00a0about the plaintiff. &#8220;Publication&#8221; includes traditional forms, such as books, newspapers, and magazines. It also includes modern social media platforms.<\/p>\n<p>Oral remarks are usually considered slander and not libel. However, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/torts-and-personal-injuries\/defamation-and-social-media-what-you-need-to-know.html\">defamatory video<\/a> or streaming audio clip on the internet may be considered a publication.<\/p>\n<h2>The Context of a Communication Matters<\/h2>\n<p>In some instances, the context of a statement may determine whether the statement is defamatory. Courts will take into account associated facts and circumstances. Even when two statements are identical in their words, one may be defamatory while the other is not, depending on the context of the statements.<\/p>\n<p>For example, a comedian might be performing a skit. They make a joke to an audience about a person&#8217;s character. Here, the satirical context might negate the otherwise-defamatory implications.<\/p>\n<p>On the other hand, at a dinner party, an off-duty police officer makes a joke about the character of a person they arrested while they were on the job. Given the serious nature of the officer&#8217;s job, the statement might not come off as a joke. This could be construed as a defamatory statement due to its context.<\/p>\n<p>Whether the police officer is liable will depend on whether the defamatory statement was unprivileged or subject to conditional or\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/torts-and-personal-injuries\/defamation-law-the-basics.html\">qualified privilege<\/a>. For instance, statements made in court or in the course of a government official&#8217;s work may be <a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/privilege.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">protected by privilege<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>The Statement Must Refer to the Plaintiff<\/h2>\n<p>A defamation of character claim must be specific enough that it refers to the plaintiff. The statement does not have to refer to the plaintiff by name, but it could be defamatory if the plaintiff is reasonably identifiable.<\/p>\n<p>In some cases, the writer may have been referring to someone else, and the plaintiff was mistaken about the reference. However, it may still be defamation if a jury reasonably believed the publication was intended to refer to the plaintiff.<\/p>\n<p>Even in fiction, the author is not automatically protected from defamation claims. Publishers who have included disclaimers can still be subjects of libel and defamation claims. For example, when a real-life private individual finds a &#8220;fictional&#8221; character that is reasonably identifiable as the plaintiff, they may have a defamation claim. A jury might be dissatisfied with a publisher&#8217;s disclaimer that the characters are fictitious.<\/p>\n<h2>Anti-SLAPP Lawsuits: When the Elements of Defamation Aren&#8217;t Met<\/h2>\n<p>Filing a defamation lawsuit can have consequences if you&#8217;re <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/torts-and-personal-injuries\/abuse-of-process.html\">abusing the legal system<\/a>. Some libel and slander claims are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/torts-and-personal-injuries\/malicious-prosecution.html\">filed maliciously<\/a> in an attempt to silence critics. The threat of legal action could be enough to intimidate or harass a defendant from asserting their rights.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>However, about half of states have laws against strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP). Anti-SLAPP laws were created to prevent people from unfairly silencing others. This would protect people who are using their First Amendment right to free speech.<\/p>\n<p>In an anti-SLAPP claim, the defendant must demonstrate that they are being sued for an activity protected by their free speech rights. Usually, this will involve issues of legitimate public concern.<\/p>\n<p>An anti-SLAPP claim can strike down the plaintiff&#8217;s libel or slander claim. It may also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/filing-a-lawsuit\/can-i-sue-for-legal-fees-.html\">award attorney fees<\/a> to the defendant.<\/p>\n<h2>Learn More About the Elements of Slander and Libel: Call a Lawyer<\/h2>\n<p>Just like car accident cases, libel cases and slander claims can be complicated. Whether a claim will succeed depends on the details of the statements made, matters of public concern, and their context.<\/p>\n<p>A personal injury attorney focused on libel action can help you:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Understand the law in your personal injury case<\/li>\n<li>Understand whether the elements of libel (or the elements of slander) are apparent<\/li>\n<li>Understand whether there is an invasion of privacy<\/li>\n<li>Determine your rights before you find yourself in state court<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Learn more today by reaching out to an experienced\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/defamation\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">defamation attorney<\/a>\u00a0near you. They are a specific type of injury lawyer who can give you legal advice regarding a personal injury lawsuit for defamation.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            role=\"group\"\n    >\n        <span\n                id=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__question fl-text-lg-bold\"\n        >Was this helpful?<\/span>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"Yes\"\n                value=\"yes\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">Yes<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g id=\"thumbs-up\" 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  class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--cancel fl-button primary disabled\"\n                    type=\"reset\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Cancel<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-times-circle medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/form>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message\" role=\"status\">\n        <i class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-icon fa fa-check\"><\/i>\n        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-text\" aria-live=\"polite\"><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"fl-section-sidebar\"><div class=\"fl-editors-summary\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content\">\n                    <h2>Can I Solve This on My Own or Do I Need an Attorney?<\/h2>\n                <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\">\n            \n        <\/div>\n        <ul class=\"fl-list-style-none\">\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    A lawyer can help seek fair compensation on your behalf\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    Defamation claims are complex, but a lawyer 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