What is the definition of "libel"?

The definition of "libel" refers specifically to a published false statement that is harmful to a person’s reputation. This legal term is rooted in the realm of defamation law, where libel distinguishes itself from slander, which involves spoken statements. The key components of libel include the necessity for the statement to be false, published, and damaging.

Understanding this term is important in the context of civil rights and civil liberties because it relates to the balance between freedom of speech and protection against character damage. The other options reflect concepts that do not align with the legal definition of libel: a formal complaint to authorities pertains to grievance processes, a spoken statement in defense of a person relates to spoken defenses or possibly to slander, and a private conversation does not involve publication or the capacity to damage someone's reputation publicly.