LIBEL TERM PAPER
LIBEL
"Libel is committed when defamatory matter is published in permanent form or in a form which is deemed to be permanent. Defamation published by spoken word or in some other transitory form is slander." The classic definition of libel is a publication without justification or lawful excuse which is calculated to injure the reputation of another by exposing him to hatred, contempt or ridicule. Libel and slander are legal claims for false statements of fact about a person that are printed, broadcast, spoken or otherwise communicated to others. Libel generally refers to statements or visual depictions in written or other permanent form, while slander refers to verbal statements and gestures. The term defamation is often used to encompass both libel and slander.
TYPES OF LIBEL
1. LIBEL PER SE
The more obvious of the two, libel per se, means “by itself” or “on the face of it.” The reader or viewer does not have to interpret or study in order to understand the libel per se because it is obvious or evident. Libel per se is the more serious of the two types, and persons libeled in this manner do not have to prove that they suffered damage to their reputations, monetary loss or other injury. Libel per se can support a lawsuit in itself. There are probably thousands of words, phrases and statements in the English language that are libelous in themselves. Some of them are of a political nature; others refer to race or religion and still others involve specific professions and occupations. Others (and this is no doubt the largest group) affect the honesty, integrity or morals of anyone to whom they are applied.
2. LIBEL PER QUOD
The second type of libel is committed by inference and is more “hidden.” Its legal term, libel per quod, means “because of circumstance” or “by means of circumstance.” In libel per quod, the statements, words or phrases involved maybe harmless in them, but become libelous because of attached
"Libel is committed when defamatory matter is published in permanent form or in a form which is deemed to be permanent. Defamation published by spoken word or in some other transitory form is slander." The classic definition of libel is a publication without justification or lawful excuse which is calculated to injure the reputation of another by exposing him to hatred, contempt or ridicule. Libel and slander are legal claims for false statements of fact about a person that are printed, broadcast, spoken or otherwise communicated to others. Libel generally refers to statements or visual depictions in written or other permanent form, while slander refers to verbal statements and gestures. The term defamation is often used to encompass both libel and slander.
TYPES OF LIBEL
1. LIBEL PER SE
The more obvious of the two, libel per se, means “by itself” or “on the face of it.” The reader or viewer does not have to interpret or study in order to understand the libel per se because it is obvious or evident. Libel per se is the more serious of the two types, and persons libeled in this manner do not have to prove that they suffered damage to their reputations, monetary loss or other injury. Libel per se can support a lawsuit in itself. There are probably thousands of words, phrases and statements in the English language that are libelous in themselves. Some of them are of a political nature; others refer to race or religion and still others involve specific professions and occupations. Others (and this is no doubt the largest group) affect the honesty, integrity or morals of anyone to whom they are applied.
2. LIBEL PER QUOD
The second type of libel is committed by inference and is more “hidden.” Its legal term, libel per quod, means “because of circumstance” or “by means of circumstance.” In libel per quod, the statements, words or phrases involved maybe harmless in them, but become libelous because of attached