Which of the following is an example of libel?

Libel refers to false statements that are published in a fixed medium, typically written, that can harm a person's reputation. When considering this definition, a damaging article in a newspaper clearly exemplifies libel because it involves a written publication that disseminates information to the public, potentially causing reputational damage to the individual or entity mentioned.

In contrast, rumors spread verbally would fall under the category of slander, which is the spoken equivalent of libel. Accusations made in a classroom could also be seen as slander if they are spoken rather than written. A misleading statement in an email could resemble libel, depending on the context and reach, but it lacks the direct association with a broadly published medium such as a newspaper article. Therefore, the article represents the clearest and most fitting example of libel as defined in legal terms.