Libel
noun
A published false statement that is damaging to a person's reputation.
The mayor sued the newspaper for libel after they falsely accused him of corruption.
Often appears as...
- commit libel
- sue for libel
Usage tips
Formal
verb
To publish a false statement that harms the reputation of an individual.
The website was taken down after it was found to libel several celebrities.
Often appears as...
- libel someone
- libel in print
Usage tips
Formal
noun
A published false statement that is damaging to a person's reputation.
The mayor sued the newspaper for libel after they falsely accused him of corruption.
Often appears as...
- commit libel
- sue for libel
Usage tips
Formal
verb
To publish a false statement that harms the reputation of an individual.
The website was taken down after it was found to libel several celebrities.
Often appears as...
- libel someone
- libel in print
Usage tips
Formal
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Written Form
Libel involves written or published statements, unlike slander, which is spoken.
Posting false accusations on social media can be considered libel.
Pro Tip 2/3Public Harm
For a statement to be libel, it must be shared publicly and harm someone's reputation.
A blog post that falsely claims a teacher stole school funds is libel.
Pro Tip 3/3Truthful Defense
If a statement is true, it cannot be libel, even if it harms someone's reputation.
A journalist cannot be sued for libel when accurately reporting a politician's scandal.
Pro Tip 1/3Written Form
Libel involves written or published statements, unlike slander, which is spoken.
Posting false accusations on social media can be considered libel.
Pro Tip 2/3Public Harm
For a statement to be libel, it must be shared publicly and harm someone's reputation.
A blog post that falsely claims a teacher stole school funds is libel.
Pro Tip 3/3Truthful Defense
If a statement is true, it cannot be libel, even if it harms someone's reputation.
A journalist cannot be sued for libel when accurately reporting a politician's scandal.
Pro Tip 1/3Written Form
Libel involves written or published statements, unlike slander, which is spoken.
Posting false accusations on social media can be considered libel.
Pro Tip 2/3Public Harm
For a statement to be libel, it must be shared publicly and harm someone's reputation.
A blog post that falsely claims a teacher stole school funds is libel.
Pro Tip 3/3Truthful Defense
If a statement is true, it cannot be libel, even if it harms someone's reputation.
A journalist cannot be sued for libel when accurately reporting a politician's scandal.
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Video examples
Heather Brooke: My...
and they've just got funding to make it an international modern media project, and this is taking all of the best laws around the world about freedom of expression, protection of whistleblowers, protection from libel, source protection, and trying to make Iceland a publishing haven. It's a place where your data can be free, so when we think
Video examples
Nirvana in the Nineties...
and bring up libel laws and stuff like that to people that write like that about us but I could spend the money that I earned last year on fighting the Vanity Fair piece you know and they'd end up winning because I have more money
Video examples
Heather Brooke: My...
and they've just got funding to make it an international modern media project, and this is taking all of the best laws around the world about freedom of expression, protection of whistleblowers, protection from libel, source protection, and trying to make Iceland a publishing haven. It's a place where your data can be free, so when we think
Video examples
Nirvana in the Nineties...
and bring up libel laws and stuff like that to people that write like that about us but I could spend the money that I earned last year on fighting the Vanity Fair piece you know and they'd end up winning because I have more money
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
J. William Fulbright
American Politician
When public men indulge themselves in abuse, when they deny others a fair trial, when they resort to innuendo and insinuation, to libel, scandal, and suspicion, then our democratic society is outraged, and democracy is baffled.
Quote examples
Ilka Chase
American Actress
Wart hogs should sue for libel. It is a terrible name and they are fine fellows and devoted family men and it is rare to see one by himself; the little woman and the kiddies are usually close at hand.
Quote examples
Floyd Abrams
American Lawyer
No other country in the world gives protection like that, but it is not absolute protection. People sometimes meet that high burden and win libel suits, and in those cases I think they ought to win.
Quote examples
Dominic Grieve
British Politician
There is a certain belief that so long as something is published in cyberspace there is no need to respect the laws of contempt or libel. This is mistaken.
Quote examples
Faith Salie
American Journalist
A leader who cobbles together his self-esteem by attempting to silence or libel his critics and by amplifying his echo chamber is a dangerous one indeed.
Quote examples
Andrew Shaffer
American Author
With traditional publishing, books might be pulled due to plagiarism or libel - but rarely for content, and especially not without a widespread outcry.
Quote examples
Albert Einstein
German Physicist
Too many of us look upon Americans as dollar chasers. This is a cruel libel, even if it is reiterated thoughtlessly by the Americans themselves.
Quote examples
Rupert Murdoch
American Publisher
It's a libel to say that I use my newspapers to support my other business interests. The fact is, I haven't got any other business interests.
Quote examples
Uri Geller
Israeli Entertainer
I've stopped caring about skeptics, but if they libel or defame me they will end up in court.
Quote examples
Simon Singh
British Author
Libel law was developed to protect the reputations of individuals, not corporations.
Quote examples
J. William Fulbright
American Politician
When public men indulge themselves in abuse, when they deny others a fair trial, when they resort to innuendo and insinuation, to libel, scandal, and suspicion, then our democratic society is outraged, and democracy is baffled.
Quote examples
Ilka Chase
American Actress
Wart hogs should sue for libel. It is a terrible name and they are fine fellows and devoted family men and it is rare to see one by himself; the little woman and the kiddies are usually close at hand.
Quote examples
Floyd Abrams
American Lawyer
No other country in the world gives protection like that, but it is not absolute protection. People sometimes meet that high burden and win libel suits, and in those cases I think they ought to win.
Quote examples
Dominic Grieve
British Politician
There is a certain belief that so long as something is published in cyberspace there is no need to respect the laws of contempt or libel. This is mistaken.
Quote examples
Faith Salie
American Journalist
A leader who cobbles together his self-esteem by attempting to silence or libel his critics and by amplifying his echo chamber is a dangerous one indeed.
Quote examples
Andrew Shaffer
American Author
With traditional publishing, books might be pulled due to plagiarism or libel - but rarely for content, and especially not without a widespread outcry.
Quote examples
Albert Einstein
German Physicist
Too many of us look upon Americans as dollar chasers. This is a cruel libel, even if it is reiterated thoughtlessly by the Americans themselves.
Quote examples
Rupert Murdoch
American Publisher
It's a libel to say that I use my newspapers to support my other business interests. The fact is, I haven't got any other business interests.
Quote examples
Uri Geller
Israeli Entertainer
I've stopped caring about skeptics, but if they libel or defame me they will end up in court.
Quote examples
Simon Singh
British Author
Libel law was developed to protect the reputations of individuals, not corporations.
Example 1 of 10
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