Libel and defamation are both types of defamation, which is a harmful statement made about someone that damages their reputation. However, there are some key differences between libel and defamation.
Libel is a type of defamation that involves making a false, written or published statement about someone. This can include statements made in print, online, or through other forms of written communication. In order to prove libel, the person making the statement must have made it with the intention of harming the reputation of the person it is about, and the statement must be false.
Defamation, on the other hand, can be either written or spoken. It involves making a false statement about someone that harms their reputation, but it does not necessarily have to be in written form. Defamation can include statements made in person, over the phone, or through any other form of spoken communication.
One key difference between libel and defamation is the level of evidence required to prove that the statement was made with the intention of harming the person's reputation. In a defamation case, the person making the statement must have known that the statement was false or acted with reckless disregard for the truth. In a libel case, the person making the statement must have made it with the intention of harming the person's reputation.
Another difference between libel and defamation is the potential for damages. In a defamation case, the person who was harmed may be able to recover damages for any harm to their reputation or emotional distress caused by the false statement. In a libel case, the person may be able to recover damages for any financial losses they suffered as a result of the false statement.
Overall, libel and defamation are similar in that they both involve making false statements about someone that harm their reputation. However, there are some key differences between the two, including the form the statement takes, the level of evidence required to prove the statement was made with the intention of harming the person's reputation, and the potential for damages.