What type of statements are considered defamation?

Defamation refers to statements that harm the reputation of an individual or entity. Specifically, defamation includes false written or spoken statements that present untrue information about someone. For a statement to be considered defamatory, it generally must be presented as a fact rather than an opinion and must be untrue.

The key aspect of option A is the focus on "false" statements; truthfulness is essential in determining whether defamation has occurred. A statement that is true, even if it might be damaging to someone's reputation, cannot be considered defamation.

In contrast, statements made in public forums, opinions shared on social media, and fact-based criticisms may not inherently be defamatory. Public forum statements can sometimes include protected speech that doesn't necessarily harm reputations. Opinions, even if they are critical, are protected under free speech rights as long as they do not assert false facts. Similarly, well-founded criticisms are typically viewed as acceptable discourse and may not fall under defamation unless they involve false assertions.