Final answer:
Defamation involves harming someone's reputation through false statements and this is broadly classified into slander (spoken) and libel (written). The media is protected when expressing opinions, but not when spreading falsehoods about someone with intent to harm. Public figures face a higher standard to prove defamation, needing to show actual malice or reckless disregard for the truth.
Step-by-step explanation:
The injuring of the name and reputation of a person by making false statements to another person is known as defamation. This can either be in the form of slander, which is spoken, or libel, which is written. The media do not have the right to freedom of speech when it comes to slander and libel if the information they disseminate is known to be false. However, when expressing opinions, they are often protected, as these do not assert facts.
Additionally, to constitute defamation, there must be an intent to cause harm, which means a private person only needs to show the statement was false, whereas a public figure must prove actual malice or reckless disregard for the truth, a standard established in the landmark case New York Times v. Sullivan (1964).