ABSTRACT
Libel and slander are two categories of a broader legal area called defamation, a term that refers to damage to a person's or an organization's reputation or standing in the community or to exposing a person or organization to public shame, hatred, or ridicule. At that time, libel was seen a criminal matter, and while the term criminal libel still exists, the charge is rarely made. Many states still have criminal libel statutes in place, but they are rarely applied. The issue of whether family members or other interested parties can sue for libel on behalf of a deceased person varies by state. Libel per se means that the words are directly harmful on their face. Libel per quod means that the words may seem harmless but may be interpreted as libelous. It is libel through innuendo. Crime news is the most heavily edited and scrutinized material published in a newspaper or broadcast on radio or television.
