What does slander refer to?

Slander refers specifically to defamatory statements made verbally. This involves making a false and damaging statement about someone that can harm their reputation. For a statement to be considered slander, it must be spoken and result in some form of damage to the individual’s character or standing in their community.

Considering the other options, a written defamatory statement would be classified as libel, not slander. Privacy rights are not directly linked to slander, as they more so involve the protection of personal information rather than the harm done by verbal statements. Legal immunity regarding freedom of speech does not pertain to slander but rather acknowledges certain protections under free speech rights, which can sometimes complicate the matter of whether a spoken statement is legally classified as slander. Thus, slander is accurately defined as a damaging spoken statement.