The state of Florida defines defamation as a false statement that damages someone’s reputation, particularly through slander or libel. In fact, the Florida statute on defamation specifically calls it a “publication or broadcast, in a newspaper, periodical, or other medium, of a libel or slander” (Official Site of Florida Legislature). Libel is a written statement about someone that is false, whereas slander is a spoken statement about someone that is false, both harming their reputation.