What is Slander?

What is Slander?

In the United States, Slander is a legal term referring to spoken false statements that harm a person’s reputation. Verbal slander is communication intended to discredit the person making the comments. Slander, to put it simply, is a legal word for defamation, or the act of hurting the reputation of an individual or corporation by spreading false information about them to one or more individuals....

How does Slander work?

Although it is everyone’s fundamental right to express themselves freely, this right is not unqualified. In reality, most legal systems include restrictions on speech, particularly when it comes to making false statements about others. Any orally expressed defamation is referred to as slander. When someone’s remarks damage another person’s reputation or means of support, it is known as defamation. For a comment to qualify as slander, it must be stated as fact rather than opinion. A third person must hear the statement. If you make claims about someone that you know are false, you will face sanctions. The area of law that deals with civil cases includes tort law, which includes defamation. It seeks to remedy wrongdoing committed against parties and has the potential to grant them financial recompense. Therefore, anyone who has been the target of defamatory remarks, whether expressed orally or in writing may be entitled to make their case in a civil court....

Example of Slander

Actor David Schwimmer sued fundraisers for $2 million in 2004 after they claimed he had made irrational demands prior to his 1997 appearance at a charity event. Schwimmer, who starred in the television series “Friends,” sued Aaron Tonken for slander. Schwimmer claims that Tonken made it known in public that Schwimmer requested two Rolex watches as payment for the time he spent at a fundraiser. He said the accusations damaged his image and were untrue. In 2006, the litigation was resolved. Schwimmer received a $400,000 damage award....

How do I Prove Slander?

Proving slander in court can indeed be challenging, as the burden of proof rests on the complainant. While individuals feeling wronged must demonstrate that defamatory remarks were made with malicious intent against a third party, it’s important to note that the standard of proof in civil cases like slander is typically “by a preponderance of the evidence,” not “beyond a reasonable doubt.”...

Conclusion

In the United States, slander laws vary by state, but generally, to prove slander, the plaintiff must show that the defamatory statements were false, caused harm to their reputation, and were made without justification or privilege. While proving slander can be challenging, it’s essential for individuals who have been targeted by defamatory remarks to seek recourse in civil court if their reputation has been unjustly harmed. By demonstrating the falsehood of the statements, the harm caused, and the absence of justification for the remarks, individuals can seek justice and potentially receive compensation for the damage to their reputation....

Frequently Asked Questions on Slander

Is gossip slanderous?...