What legal concept ensures individuals can protect their reputations against unfounded accusations?

The concept that specifically pertains to protecting individuals’ reputations against unfounded accusations is defamation. Defamation encompasses both written statements (libel) and spoken statements (slander) that are false and damaging to a person’s reputation. When someone makes a false statement about another person that leads to harm or damages to their character, that individual has the right to seek legal recourse under defamation law.

In the context of the question, while libel refers specifically to written defamation, the broader term ‘defamation’ covers both libel and slander, making it the most comprehensive legal concept in protecting reputations. Understanding defamation is crucial, especially in fields related to healthcare and law, as false statements can have severe consequences for individuals' professional and personal lives.