Libel refers to which of the following?

Libel is defined specifically as the written publication of false statements that harm a person's reputation. In legal terms, it constitutes a form of defamation, where the false assertion is presented in a fixed medium, such as written texts, articles, or online content. For an instance to qualify as libel, the statement must be demonstrably false, unprivileged, and made with a degree of fault regarding its truthfulness, like negligence or actual malice.

Understanding this concept helps differentiate libel from related terms, such as slander, which refers to oral falsehoods instead of written ones. This distinction is crucial in the field of communications law, where the medium (written vs. spoken) significantly influences the legal definitions and implications of defamation.