Defamation laws protect individuals from false statements that harm their reputation. These laws distinguish between 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 with negligence or malice. In many jurisdictions, public figures face a higher burden of proof, needing to show that the statement was made with actual malice. Defamation laws aim to balance the right to free speech with the need to protect individuals from harmful misinformation.