What is libel?

Libel refers specifically to the act of damaging someone's reputation through false statements that are expressed in a fixed medium, primarily written form. This can include anything from printed articles and books to online posts and social media content. The key element that distinguishes libel from other forms of defamation is that it involves a permanent representation of the damaging statement, which can be preserved and accessed by others, thus amplifying the potential harm to an individual's reputation.

Understanding libel is important, especially in legal contexts, as it can lead to serious repercussions for the party making the false statement. The focus is on how the written word can unjustly target and harm a person’s character, thus making option B the accurate definition. Other choices pertain to different concepts, such as verbal abuse or confidentiality breaches, which do not encompass the nature of libel specifically centered on written slander.