Comment by 93po

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

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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.