What is defamation?

Defamation refers specifically to the publication of false statements that cause harm to someone's reputation. To qualify as defamation, the statements must be untrue and must be communicated to third parties, meaning that it is not just a private communication but rather made public in some way. This legal concept encompasses both slander (spoken defamation) and libel (written defamation).

The emphasis on the statements being false is critical; if the statements were true, they would not be considered defamatory, regardless of the harm caused. Additionally, for a claim of defamation to be successful, the harmed party generally must demonstrate that the false statements resulted in real damage to their reputation. Thus, the correct answer captures the essential component of defamation in a clear and precise manner.