Which form of defamation is characterized as written?

Libel is the form of defamation that is specifically characterized as written statements that are false and damaging to a person's reputation. It involves the publication of defamatory content through written words, such as in newspapers, books, or online articles. This written form is contrasted with slander, which refers to spoken defamation.

The defining factor of libel is that the statement must be in a permanent medium, allowing it to be seen or read by others, leading to potential harm to an individual's reputation. Because libel involves a tangible record of the defamatory statement — as opposed to fleeting spoken words in slander — it is often considered more serious in terms of legal consequences and proof, given its lasting nature.

Other options, such as false light and invasion of privacy, relate to different aspects of personal rights and reputation but do not involve written statements as their primary characteristic. False light deals with misrepresentation that causes embarrassment or other harm but isn’t necessarily tied to written content. Invasion of privacy pertains to the unwarranted intrusion into someone's personal life, which differs fundamentally from defamation.