Final answer:
When a newspaper publishes a false statement that harms someone's reputation in written form, it is referred to as libel, which is a type of defamation. Slander is the term used for spoken defamatory statements. The Supreme Court case New York Times v. Sullivan set a higher standard for libel involving public figures, who must demonstrate actual malice or reckless disregard for the truth.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a newspaper publishes an article that defames the character of another person, it is called libel. Libel and slander are both forms of defamation, but they differ in medium. Libel is used when the false defamatory statement is made in some form of print or fixed representation, such as newspapers, books, or online media, while slander refers to defamatory statements that are spoken. It is important to note that for a statement to constitute libel or slander, it must be a false statement presented as a fact and not merely an opinion. In the landmark case of New York Times v. Sullivan, the court recognized the need to balance the protection of reputation against the principles of free speech, especially in the context of public figures, who must demonstrate actual malice or a reckless disregard for the truth to prove libel.