Defamation law protects individuals from false statements that harm their reputation. It involves two main types: libel, which refers to written statements, and slander, which pertains to spoken statements. To win a defamation case, the plaintiff must prove that the statement was false, damaging, and made without adequate research into its truthfulness. In many jurisdictions, public figures face a higher burden of proof, needing to show that the statement was made with actual malice, meaning the speaker knew it was false or acted with reckless disregard for the truth. Defamation laws vary by country, reflecting different balances between free speech and protection of reputation.