Libel. And “slander” when applied to the spoken word. Or if you want the generic term that covers both, “defamation”. (It has always been a puzzle why libel and slander are separate terms when they’re the same thing wearing slightly different gowns.)
Yeah it seems like those terms simply are antiquated to modernity, cause public and private life are so intertwined by the nature of our technology and media these days. I can see how 80 years ago your name being dragged in the local newspaper would feel distinct in its reach and effect from say someone doing the same in the town square or a smaller public venue, the distinction must have been the scale of quantity of potential witnesses. Interesting to ponder, but I think you’re right to use defamation in any case.
Libel. And “slander” when applied to the spoken word. Or if you want the generic term that covers both, “defamation”. (It has always been a puzzle why libel and slander are separate terms when they’re the same thing wearing slightly different gowns.)
Yeah it seems like those terms simply are antiquated to modernity, cause public and private life are so intertwined by the nature of our technology and media these days. I can see how 80 years ago your name being dragged in the local newspaper would feel distinct in its reach and effect from say someone doing the same in the town square or a smaller public venue, the distinction must have been the scale of quantity of potential witnesses. Interesting to ponder, but I think you’re right to use defamation in any case.