Which of the following statements would be considered libel?

Libel is a form of defamation that involves making false statements in a permanent medium, typically written, that harm the reputation of an individual or entity. The key characteristic that distinguishes libel from other forms of defamation, such as slander, is its permanence.

In this case, the correct choice is a written article containing false claims. This scenario fits the definition of libel because it involves written communication that disseminates untrue statements about someone, which can lead to reputational harm. The permanence of the written medium ensures that the false claims can be widely shared and perpetuate the damage to the individual's reputation over time.

Other scenarios provided, such as a spoken accusation in a public place, an email sent to a co-worker, and an informal conversation with friends, do not meet the necessary criteria for libel. Spoken statements would typically be classified as slander, as they lack the enduring nature that written statements have. While an email may have some aspects of permanency, it does not have the same public dissemination aspect that a published article would. Lastly, an informal conversation does not constitute a broader distribution of harmful statements necessary for claiming libel.