Question

[Hair Stylist Woes] Ryan, a college student, went to see his hair stylist, Melissa. Ryan, who had black, curly hair, requested straight, blond hair. Melissa told him that she could make those changes, but that there would be significant upkeep involved. Melissa made the changes, but Ryan did not do the upkeep required. Ryan proceeded to falsely claim that Melissa did not do what Ryan asked her to do that Melissa lied to him, and that Melissa was professionally incompetent. Ryan made the statements about Melissa to friends of his. He also wrote a letter to his college newspaper saying that Melissa's shop should be avoided at all costs because Melissa was incompetent In fact, Melissa was a good hair stylist and enjoyed a good reputation up until the time that Ryan started his criticism. Melissa threatened to sue Ryan for defamation, but Ryan told Melissa that she could not prevail because she could not prove loss of income. Melissa had to admit that while her reputation had been damaged somewhat and she felt embarrassed and humiliated, the damage was primarily her appointment times were booked for weeks ahead. Statements made by Ryan to his friends that were defamatory of Melissa are what type of defamation? a. Libel but not slander. b. No tort was committed because the statements were made only to friends of Ryan, not to business acquaintances of Candy. c. No tort was committed because the falsehood involved matters of appearance not business related matters. Slander but not libel. d. Both libel and slander.

Answer 1

Answer:

The type of defamation statements made by Ryan against Melissa are:

d. Both libel and slander.

Explanation:

Ryan made a libelous statement against Melissa by writing to his college newspaper, advising potential clients to avoid Melissa's shop because of her alleged incompetence.   Ryan also made slanderous statements against Melissa to his friends.  The defamation of character and reputation was both libelous and slanderous.