Defamatory publication

RJW: Legal Services - Inquiries and Inquests: "Everybody's reputation is precious. The law of defamation governs what you can do if your reputation is unjustly attacked. The law has to achieve a delicate balance between protecting freedom of speech while at the same time providing a remedy when the reputation of an individual or a business is damaged.
Outlined below is a brief explanation of what is meant by a defamatory publication, together with the principal defences to a claim for defamation.

Definition: A defamatory publication is one that makes people think less of you. There are 2 kinds of defamation - libel and slander. Libel - publication in written or some other permanent form - including television and radio broadcasts. Slander - the spoken word or a publication in some other transient form."