What is the basic, general difference between libel and slander?

Both libel and slander fall under the legal umbrella of defamation, which is the act of harming someone's reputation by making a false statement. The core difference between the two comes down to the medium and its permanence. Libel is defamation in a fixed, tangible form. This traditionally meant written or printed words, like in a book or newspaper, but it also includes pictures, statues, and, in most modern legal systems, broadcasted material on television or radio.

This distinction arose because the law has historically considered libel to be more harmful than slander. The reasoning is that a written or broadcasted lie has a greater sense of permanence. It can be circulated more widely and for a longer period of time, potentially causing more significant and lasting damage to a person's reputation than a fleeting spoken remark. Because the potential for harm is seen as greater, it is often easier for a plaintiff to win a libel case than a slander case.

With the rise of the internet, this distinction is more relevant than ever. While a false statement whispered to a friend is slander, that same statement posted on social media, in a blog, or in a video is considered libel. Because digital content is fixed, recorded, and can be shared with a massive audience instantaneously, it falls under the more serious category of libel, reflecting the old legal principle that a more permanent statement can do more damage.