Which of the following describes a false written statement that damages a person's reputation?

Libel refers specifically to a false written statement that injures a person's reputation. This can include printed material such as articles, books, or social media posts. The key element of libel is that the statement must be in a permanent form, which distinguishes it from slander, where the false statement is made orally. In order for a libelous statement to be actionable, it typically needs to be shown that the statement was made with some degree of fault, such as negligence or actual malice. This concept is essential in legal cases involving defamation, where protecting an individual's reputation is the main concern.

Other terms like defamation encompass both libel and slander, as it broadly refers to any false statement that harms someone's reputation, but does not specifically indicate that the statement was written. Malpractice, on the other hand, relates to improper professional conduct or negligence, particularly in medical or legal contexts, and is not related to reputation damage through false statements.