slander

Slander is the oral transmission of a false statement that harms the reputation of a person or organization. It is a form of defamation, distinguishable from libel, which involves written or published statements. In many legal systems, defamation encompasses both forms, with slander referring specifically to spoken statements.

Elements typically required for a slander claim include: a false statement of fact (not an opinion) about a living person or entity; publication or communication of that statement to at least one third party; fault by the defendant (such as negligence or actual malice, depending on the plaintiff’s status); and demonstrable harm or damages. Some statements are considered actionable per se, meaning harm is presumed, such as allegations of criminal activity, professional incompetence, or certain diseases.

Defenses commonly available include truth, which defeats the claim; opinion, when the statement cannot reasonably be understood as a factual assertion; and privilege, which may apply in specific contexts (for example, statements made during judicial or legislative proceedings or within certain media reports). Other defenses can include consent or statutory time limits.

Remedies for successful slander claims typically involve damages to compensate the harmed reputation, and sometimes injunctions or retractions. The balance in defamation law is between protecting reputation and preserving freedom of expression, with standards varying by jurisdiction and by whether the plaintiff is a private individual or a public figure.