Final answer:
The term for false written statements that damage someone's reputation is libel. Defamation cases, especially involving public figures, require proof of 'actual malice.' Despite negative stories, media outlets may not be sued due to the high legal threshold established by New York Times v. Sullivan.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term given to false written words that damage a person's reputation is known as libel. Libel refers to the act of publishing false statements about an individual or entity that constitute defamation of character, which can lead to a loss of reputation and income. However, not all negative publications result in successful libel cases. Protected speech, such as opinions and parodies, does not qualify as libel because they do not present false information as fact. It is the responsibility of the person who has been defamed to initiate legal action.
To win a libel case, especially for public figures, one must prove 'actual malice'; this means showing that the publication knew the information was false or showed a reckless disregard for the truth. This standard was established in the New York Times v. Sullivan (1964) case, which requires the claimant to demonstrate that the publisher acted with malice. This is why despite negative stories, media outlets may not always be sued for libel as the legal threshold is high, particularly when it involves public officials or figures.