Question

Is it slander to announce that a person has tested HIV positive where the statement is not true?

Answer 1

Thank you for using the Jiskha Homework Help Forum. I would call that a "lie!"

Here is a good definition of the word itself:

Main Entry: [2]slander
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English sclaundre, slaundre, from Old French esclandre, from Late Latin scandalum stumbling block, offense —more at SCANDAL
Date: 14th century
1 : the utterance of false charges or misrepresentations which defame and damage another's reputation
2 : a false and defamatory oral statement about a person — compare LIBEL
- slan·der·ous /-d(&-)r&s/ adjective
- slan·der·ous·ly adverb
- slan·der·ous·ness noun


Sra