Page "First Amendment to the United States Constitution" Paragraph 65

An action of libel required the same five general points as slander, except that it specifically involved the publication of defamatory statements.

For certain criminal charges of libel, such as seditious libel, the truth or falsity of the statements was immaterial, as such laws were intended to maintain public support of the government and the truth of the statements merely eroded public support more thoroughly.

Instead, libel placed specific emphasis on the result of the publication.

Libelous publications tended to " degrade and injure another person " or " bring him into contempt, hatred or ridicule.