Which term refers to writing something untrue about a person?

• A. Slander - to speak untrue about a person
• B. Libel - to write something untrue about a person
• C. Defamation - to cause harm by rumor
• D. Gossip - informal talk about others

Answer: (B)

Writing something untrue about a person is libel. Libel is a form of defamation that is conveyed in writing or print, and its impact lies in presenting a false statement as fact to harm someone’s reputation. This is different from slander, which is defamation spoken aloud, and from the broader idea of defamation itself, which covers false statements that harm reputation whether written or spoken. Gossip is informal talk about others and isn’t a formal legal term tied to the specific act of making false statements about someone in a published or written form.