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What is the term for written defamation of character?
Slander
Libel
Malpractice
Negligence
The correct answer is: Libel
The correct term for written defamation of character is indeed libel. This legal concept refers specifically to false statements made in writing that damage an individual's reputation. Unlike slander, which pertains to spoken defamatory statements, libel involves a permanent form of communication, such as published articles, social media posts, or other written formats. Understanding the context and the nuances of these terms is essential for recognizing the differences in legal definitions. Malpractice refers to professional negligence by a professional, which causes harm to a client or patient, while negligence is a broader term encompassing a failure to exercise appropriate care in a given context, leading to unintentional harm. Therefore, libel is distinctly focused on the act of harming someone's reputation through written words, making it the correct answer in this context.