Defamation is when someone makes false statements about another person that harm their reputation. This can happen through spoken words, known as slander, or written statements, called libel. If someone spreads lies that damage a person's character or career, the affected individual may have the right to seek legal action. To prove defamation, the person must show that the statement was not only false but also made with negligence or malice. Defamation laws vary by location, but the main goal is to protect individuals from harmful misinformation while balancing the right to free speech.