You're quoting Canadian law. In the US it varies by state but generally requires: A false statement of fact (not opinion, hyperbole, or pure insinuation witho

You're quoting Canadian law. In the US it varies by state but generally requires: A false statement of fact (not opinion, hyperbole, or pure insinuation without a provably false factual core). Publication to a third party. Fault Harm to reputation ---- In the US it is required that it is written (or in a fixed form). If it's not written (fixed), it's slander, not libel.