Slander vs. Libel ...when do you have the right?

It may not be right to negatively affect someone or something's reputation. but at times it is wise to consider the situation the person was in when they committed slander or libel. Is it really right to seek a law suit for everything? I don't think so. In the case with Amanda Knox and her family, they are being accused of slander against the Italian police. Amanda said she was treated badly during the interrogation and her mom repeated the story to a journalist. The ironic thing is that before Amanda was even convicted of the murder, the media in Italy had already had her pinned as a cold-blooded killer. Now isn't that wrong? In the Court of Public Opinion, this could be greatly significant. This will affect her for the rest of her life. In this case, did the media cross the line or did the Knox family? I would have to say that the media's articles about her being a murderer and cold-hearted were more wrong than Amanda claiming that she was treated wrongly. Her case is still on-going and although there is a movie and books out now, people still do not know the truth. If they hear the bad stories first, chances are that even when the truth comes out they will already have a skewed opinion.