What is the action of harming someone's reputation through libel or slander called?

Defamation is the action of harming someone's reputation through false statements, which can occur in two primary forms: libel and slander. Libel refers to written statements that defame someone, while slander involves spoken statements. When a person's reputation is damaged by such misleading communication, defamation law allows them to seek legal redress. This fits perfectly with the question, as it specifically addresses the act of damaging someone's reputation, making it the correct choice.

The other terms refer to different legal concepts. Invasion of privacy pertains to an unlawful intrusion into someone's personal life, while slander is only one type of defamation that concerns spoken words. Battery, on the other hand, involves physical harm to an individual, which is unrelated to the topic of reputational harm.