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CMA Foundation · Fundamentals of Business Laws and Business Communication · Legal Aspects of Business Communication

In the context of defamation in business communication, which of the following correctly distinguishes libel from slander?

Libel is defamation in permanent form, such as writing, print or pictures, whereas slander is defamation in transient form, such as spoken words or gestures. The distinction rests on the medium and its permanence, not on whether the victim is a company or an individual.

  1. ALibel is a defamatory statement in permanent form such as writing or print, while slander is in transient form such as spoken wordsCorrect
  2. BLibel is a spoken defamatory statement, while slander is a written one
  3. CLibel applies only to companies, while slander applies only to individuals
  4. DLibel is always a criminal wrong, while slander is never a criminal wrong

Explanation

Libel is defamation in a permanent, visible form such as writing, printing or pictures. Slander is defamation in a transient form such as spoken words or gestures. The option reversing the two forms is wrong, and the distinction has nothing to do with the type of person defamed.

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