Defamatory statements that harm a person's reputation that are spoken are called?

Defamatory statements that harm a person's reputation that are spoken are called?

• A. Libel
• B. Defamation
• C. Slander
• D. Rumor

Answer: (C)

Slander is the spoken form of defamation—false statements that harm someone’s reputation when they are spoken aloud. If those harmful statements were written instead of spoken, they would be called libel. Defamation is the umbrella term that covers both spoken and written forms, while rumor is simply informal, unverified information that may or may not be true. In practice, when the harm is caused by spoken statements about a person’s character or actions, it’s considered slander.

Slander is the spoken form of defamation—false statements that harm someone’s reputation when they are spoken aloud. If those harmful statements were written instead of spoken, they would be called libel. Defamation is the umbrella term that covers both spoken and written forms, while rumor is simply informal, unverified information that may or may not be true. In practice, when the harm is caused by spoken statements about a person’s character or actions, it’s considered slander.