What is the difference between slander and libel?

Answer

The difference is the medium. Libel is defamation committed in writing, print, or another permanent or broadcast form; slander (oral defamation) is committed by spoken word. Cyber libel is libel committed through a computer system under the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

Both protect reputation and share the core element of a defamatory imputation made publicly, but they are penalized under different provisions, and libel and cyber libel generally carry heavier penalties than ordinary slander.

Sources & further reading

• RPC Art. 358 — slander
• Related report: cyber libel
• Full report: oral defamation & slander

Cases on this topic

• Amado B. Teodoro v. Court of Appeals
• Bienvenido T. Canlapan v. Department of Justice
• Canal, Sr. v. People
• Consolacion P. Mangila v. Judge Lantin
• Narcisa Tul-id v. People
• Niña Oclarit Ido v. People
• Noel Villanueva v. People
• People v. Isauro Santiago

Related questions

• What is oral defamation (slander) in the Philippines?
• What is the penalty for oral defamation?
• What is slander by deed?
• Can defamation be both a criminal and a civil case?