Is it slander if what I write is true?

Answer 1

"Is it slander if what I write is true?"

The quick, technical answer to your question is "No. Because 'slander' is the 'publication' of false spoken words and 'libel' of written words."

So, if you wrote it, it would be "libel."

If what you're asking is would it be slander or libel if what you published is true, then the quick answer is "No."

But it's probably important for you to know two things.

First, "truth" is an affirmative defense. What that means is that someone could file a defamation suit against you and you'd have to go so far as to prove what you said was true-- and pay the costs related to getting that far.

Second, not all speech is protected speech-- even when what you say is true. A pertinent question in defamation suits is whether or not you intended solely to harm the subject as a result of your publication. While the ramifications are different when you're dealing with public figures vs. private citizens, all people should be cautious of publishing information that is soley intended to hurt someone-- it is not always a protected speech act.

Answer 2

If you can back it up...No it is not slander! If the material say for instance was stolen you can be charged with theft! People may or may not have the same name in the writing of stories and works of fiction.

Charges and Lawsuits of slander cannot be used in the writing of fictional characters and stories...Slander is the act of Making a statement that is not true, causes harm to others, that are Misrepresentations which defame and damage another person or person's reputation or character!

Example calling a female a male and put it in writing. IS LIBEL! Calling a people prostitutes and whores when they are not, calling a man a homosexual when he is not to stop him from gaining employment. Terlling other people that another person is crazy, when they are not is SLANDER! Making a false charge that a person is a fraud when they are not. Making false accusations that people are not married and just living together...Claiming a person has a criminal record when they do not. Insinuating they are drug addicts because they burn incesnse....etc...etc...

Doctors/psychatrists can be sued for a false diagnosis, that may or may not affect a person's ability to secure employment or get insurance. It's called Malpractice! Often times bigots cannot distinguish one person from another in Identifying others, because they only look at the color of their skin. To them they all look alike.

Normally people who committ slander don't even know the person they are causing harm and damage to and do it out of spite! Let the games begin! The Behavior Stops when they are Faced with multi-Million dollar Lawsuits!

Answer 3

No. For 2 reasons.
1) Slander is spoken defamation. If you wrote something that wasn't true it would be libel, not slander.

2) In our society if you write something you have a greater chance of people believing its true. And if enough people believe it then it becomes true.

Answer 4

No, if it's true it cannot be slander. Besides, slander is an oral communication of false statements injurious to a person's reputation.

Written false statements wold be libel.

Answer 5

A written tort is actually libel, not slander. Slander is a spoken tort. They are both defamation of character. If what you have written, or spoken, can be shown to be the truth, there is no case for defamation.

Answer 6

truth is not a defense for slander in regard to a non-public person, the disclosures of private truthful facts can lead to a slander charge

Answer 7

Slander is verbal.
Libel is written.
If it's true, it's neither of those.
Like the old saying "you can't slander garbage by saying it stinks".

Answer 8

Slander is a false statement. If the statement is true, it is not slander.

It may, however, be an invasion of privacy or one of several other similar things. In other words, you might still get your butt sued anyway.

Answer 9

Um... did u look up the definition of slander honey?

www.m-w.com:
1 : the utterance of false charges or misrepresentations which defame and damage another's reputation
2 : a false and defamatory oral statement about a person

So you're basically asking "Is it a lie if what I say is the truth?"

Answer 10

Not if you can prove it! Now if you state it as your opinion then that is exactly what it is an opinion and not slander.