What must be proven for a claim of defamation in Arkansas?

For a claim of defamation in Arkansas, it is essential to demonstrate that a false statement was made to a third party and that this statement caused harm to the person's reputation. This aligns with the fundamental elements of defamation, which require that the statement be untrue, convey a defamatory meaning, and cause actual damage to the plaintiff's reputation or standing in the community.

A key factor is the requirement of falsity; only statements that are false can be actionable as defamation. Additionally, the element of harm is crucial, as the harmed individual must show how the false statement negatively impacted their reputation or caused them legal damage, such as financial losses or emotional distress.

The other options either misrepresent the nature of the statements required for defamation or focus on elements that are not pertinent to the claim itself. For example, a true statement cannot be defamatory regardless of any emotional distress it might cause. Similarly, intent to harm or public dissemination alone does not suffice without proving the falsity of the statement and the resulting harm caused by that falsehood. Thus, choice focusing on a false statement made to a third party that results in harm encapsulates the essence of what must be proven for defamation in Arkansas.