libel (noun)

a false and malicious publication printed for the purpose of defaming a living person

libel (verb)

the written statement of a plaintiff explaining the cause of action (the defamation) and any relief he seeks

libel (verb)

print slanderous statements against

"The newspaper was accused of libeling him"

libel (Noun)

A written (notably as handbill) or pictorial statement which unjustly seeks to damage someone's reputation.

libel (Noun)

The act or crime of displaying such a statement publicly.

libel (Verb)

To defame someone, especially in a manner that meets the legal definition of libel.

Libel

Libel is a 1959 British drama film. It stars Olivia de Havilland, Dirk Bogarde, Paul Massie, Wilfrid Hyde-White and Robert Morley. The film's screenplay was written by Anatole de Grunwald and Karl Tunberg from a 1935 play of the same name by Edward Wooll, and it was directed by Anthony Asquith. The Broadway play, which had starred Colin Clive, was adapted for radio in 1941 using the original references to World War I. Ronald Colman played the leading role in the Jan. 13, 1941, CBS network Lux Radio Theater broadcast, with Otto Kruger and Frances Robinson. The role of an amnesiac World War I veteran had similarities to Colman's 1942 hit Random Harvest. A 1938 BBC television production, featured actor Wyndham Goldie, husband of eventual BBC television producer Grace Wyndham Goldie.

libel

Defamation is the communication of a false statement about another that injures their reputation and usually constitutes a tort. Additionally, in some jurisdictions, defamation is also treated as a crime.Defamation laws can encompass a variety of acts: Insult against a legal person (e.g. natural person, business entity) in general. Defamation (slander/libel) against a legal person (e.g. natural person, business entity) in general. Acts against public officials. Acts against state institutions (e.g. government, ministries, government agencies, armed forces). Acts against state symbols (national and/or foreign). Acts against the state itself (national and/or foreign). Acts against heads of state (national and/or foreign). Acts against religions (blasphemy). Acts against the judiciary or legislature (e.g. contempt of court). The right of individuals to the protection of their reputation, honour, and privacy comes into tension with freedom of speech, with different jurisdictions balancing the two rights differently depending on the extent to which each of the two rights is valued by the local culture and legal tradition. Jurisdictions resolve the tension between these two rights in a variety of ways including by determining whether the plaintiff must prove defamatory intent or whether intent is presumed unless the defendant proves otherwise, delimiting the extent to which the truth of a defamatory statement serves as a valid legal defence, and by deciding the scope of exceptions for commentary on issues of public importance. Strict or plaintiff-friendly defamation laws may serve to deter on publishers fearful of lawsuits from publishing potentially defamatory statements, which proponents of defamation law see as dissuading individuals from violating others' rights to privacy and protection of reputation and advocates of free speech see as having a chilling effect on the exercise of freedom of speech. The power of the internet to disseminate comments, which may include malicious content, has served to stir renewed debate over the first few decades of the twenty first century as to the efficacy, desirability, and extraterritorial application of defamation law.