What is the term for false damaging information that is communicated verbally?

The term for false damaging information that is communicated verbally is slander. This is a type of defamation, which broadly refers to the act of making false statements about someone that harm their reputation. However, slander specifically pertains to spoken statements, while libel refers to written or published defamatory statements. Understanding the distinction is crucial, especially in legal contexts, as the means of communication can affect the severity and implications of the defamation claim. Malpractice, on the other hand, refers to professional misconduct or negligence, which doesn't apply in this context.