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libel

noun

/ˈlʌɪbl/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of libel

A type of defamation that is written or published, as opposed to spoken.
"She filed a libel suit against the newspaper for publishing false information about her."

Detailed meaning of libel

It implies a false statement that harms a person's reputation, by exposing them to public hatred, contempt, ridicule, or financial injury. The statement must be published and must be communicated to at least one other person other than the person defamed.

Libel can take many forms, such as a newspaper article, a blog post, a tweet, a book, a cartoon, or a letter to the editor. It can be directed at a specific person, group, or institution, or at a broader audience. The goal of libel is to harm a person's reputation, by exposing them to public hatred, contempt, ridicule, or financial injury, through the use of false statements.

Libel is considered a civil wrong (tort) and can result in a lawsuit for damages by the person who claims to have been defamed. In some jurisdiction, libel and slander are grouped together under the term defamation. The burden of proof for libel lies with the person who made the statement, and must prove that the statement is true or that they had a good faith belief in its truth.

Libel is a serious matter and should not be taken lightly. It can cause irreparable damage to a person's reputation, and can lead to legal action. It is important to be aware of the laws and regulations surrounding libel, and to be mindful of the potential consequences of making false statements.

Example sentences containing libel

1. The company filed a lawsuit against the competitor for spreading false libel.
2. The celebrity's reputation was tarnished due to a vicious libel spread on social media.
3. The author faced legal consequences after writing a book filled with damaging libel.
4. The court ruled in favor of the plaintiff, recognizing the statement as a harmful libel.
5. The newspaper issued an apology for inadvertently publishing a libelous story.
6. The artist took legal action against the critic for publishing a damaging libel about their work.

History and etymology of libel

The noun 'libel' has its etymological roots in Latin. It is derived from the Latin word 'libellus,' which means 'little book' or 'pamphlet.' In English, 'libel' refers to a type of defamation that is written or published, as opposed to spoken, which is referred to as slander. 'Libel' involves the dissemination of false and damaging statements about someone with the intent to harm their reputation or character. It can take various forms, including written articles, online posts, images, or any other medium that reaches a wide audience. 'Libel' is a term often associated with legal matters, as it can lead to lawsuits and legal action when false and damaging information is published about an individual or entity.

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Further usage examples of libel

1. Online forums can sometimes become breeding grounds for baseless libel.
2. The public figure decided to ignore the false libel circulating in tabloids.
3. Libel laws vary from country to country, influencing the way defamation cases are handled.
4. Proving libel often requires demonstrating that false statements were made with malicious intent.
5. Social media platforms have policies to combat the spread of libelous content.
6. Journalistic ethics demand that reporters avoid publishing libel, even when under pressure for a story.
7. The rise of fake news has increased concerns about the prevalence of libel in media.
8. The court ordered the publication to pay a significant settlement for the libelous article.
9. The politician's reputation suffered irreparable damage due to a persistent campaign of libel.
10. Engaging in libelous behavior can result in significant legal and financial repercussions.
11. The editor-in-chief was vigilant about preventing libel from appearing in the newspaper.
12. Social media influencers should be cautious to avoid engaging in libelous statements.
13. The libel case brought attention to the importance of responsible reporting in the media industry.
14. He filed a lawsuit against the publication for printing a damaging libel.
15. The journalist was accused of committing a serious libel in her article.
16. Detecting libel in online content can be challenging.
17. The court ruled in favor of the plaintiff in the libel case.
18. Publishing a libelous statement can lead to legal consequences.
19. Lawyers carefully examined the alleged libel in the book.
20. The editor removed the libel from the manuscript before publishing.
21. Defending against false claims of libel can be expensive.
22. The libel trial attracted significant media attention.
23. Writers must be cautious to avoid unintentional libel.
24. The libel laws vary from country to country.