Who is typically protected under libel laws?

Libel laws are designed to protect the reputations of individuals and entities from false statements that can cause harm. Businesses and individuals are typically afforded protection under these laws because defamatory statements can negatively impact their personal and professional lives, including their social status and financial success.

In the case of individuals, it is crucial that they can seek recourse against false claims that could damage their name, character, or opportunities in various aspects of life, such as employment and relationships. Similarly, businesses rely on their good standing in the community and within their market, and any untrue information can lead to economic harm or loss of clientele.

While public figures do have some protection under libel laws, they face a higher burden to prove defamation due to their public status. This is based on the principle that they have voluntarily put themselves in the public eye and, therefore, are subject to a higher degree of scrutiny. The option relating to masquerading identities does not pertain to the protection under libel laws, as those cases often involve issues of fraud rather than reputation harm.