Defamation involves damaging someone's reputation by which means?

Defamation is a legal concept that specifically pertains to the act of harming someone's reputation through false statements. For a statement to be considered defamatory, it typically needs to be untrue and presented as a fact, which causes harm to the individual’s reputation. The focus is on misinformation that can lead others to hold a negative view of the person.

When someone makes a false statement about another person and that statement is communicated to a third party, it can result in legal action for defamation. The key element here is the falsity of the statements; true statements, even if they might be damaging, are generally not considered defamation because they accurately reflect reality.

Confidential information is not relevant in the context of defamation unless it pertains to false statements being made publicly. Likewise, anonymous feedback does not inherently equate to defamation unless the feedback contains untrue and harmful statements. Correct statements do not qualify as defamatory, even if they negatively impact someone's reputation, as they are grounded in truth.