Defamation is a legal term that refers to the act of making false statements about someone that damage their reputation. It can occur in two forms: libel, which involves written statements, and slander, which involves spoken statements. To qualify as defamation, the statement must be untrue and presented as a fact, not opinion. To prove defamation, the affected person must show that the statement was made to a third party and that it caused harm. Defamation laws vary by jurisdiction, but they generally aim to balance the right to free speech with the protection of individuals' reputations.