A plaintiff can recover damages in various forms for libel and slander. Under California law, libel occurs “by writing, printing, picture, effigy or other fixed representation to the eye,” which exposes a person to “hatred, contempt, ridicule or obloquy, or which causes her or him to be shunned or avoided, or which has a tendency to injure [a person in her or his] occupation.” Internet statements can be libelous as fixed representations to the eye.
Slander is created by oral utterance. This includes a “communication by radio or any mechanical or other means”, which, in short, 1) imputes criminality, disease, occupational incompetence or dishonesty, impotence or want of chastity (whether homosexual or heterosexual), or which 2) causes actual damage. Slander also covers defamatory statements made on TV.