Slander \Slan"der\, n.
1. A false tale or report maliciously uttered, tending to injure the reputation
of another; the malicious utterance of defamatory reports; the dissemination
of malicious tales or suggestions to the injury of another.
Libel \Li"bel\, v. t.
1. To defame, or expose to public hatred, contempt, or ridicule, by a writing,
picture, sign, etc.; to lampoon.
Slander is the spoken or transitory form of defamation of character, a legal term that refers to a falsehood presented as true which could harm the reputation of a person or entity.
Slander also encompasses body gestures as in the case of sign language. If defamation of character is placed in a fixed form, as in the case of a sign, published paper, film or recording, it is considered libel. In short, slander is temporarily uttered or gesticulated, libel is published or otherwise fixed.
Slander is a tort, or civil law, meaning a civil lawsuit can be brought against someone who is accused of slander. In the United States certain facts must be established for someone to be found guilty of slander. Assuming there is proof that the defendant uttered the alleged statement, the statement must be overheard by someone other than the subject or other “privileged” parties. Slander must also clearly identify the party or entity, and the intent must be malicious.
It's easy to laugh off slander at first. "No one will believe that," we think. "Only idiots would believe that," we tell ourselves. We also tell ourselves that it will eventually go away, however this is not always the case. Some involved in slanderous acts continue them for years and years, literally turning the slandered party into a pet project. These untruths continue to destroy the reputation until eventually the slandered party quits or retreats into hiding.
The first step in defending against Slander or Black PR is to post the truth immediately in any forum available. It is important to have both sides of the story available to all interested. See Contaminated Products. In some cases the truth will stop the slanderer in their tracks. In the event this does not happen a civil lawsuit is the next available legal remedy. In the civil arena each party will have their side heard by a judge who will then determine whether the statements made are indeed slanderous or are not.
