Final answer:
False statements made negligently or innocently are referred to as misrepresentation. Misrepresentation differs from fraud as it lacks intent to deceive, whereas fraud involves intentional deceit. Option A.
Step-by-step explanation:
False statements that are made either negligently or innocently where there is no intent to deceive are generally known as misrepresentation. In the context of the law, misrepresentation is a statement made that is untrue but is not made with malice or with an intention to deceive or injure the other party.
This differs from fraud, which is an intentional deceit for personal or financial gain.
The constitutional guarantees as noted in the reference, ascertain that a public official cannot claim damages for a defamatory statement of falsehood related to their official conduct unless they can demonstrate that the statement was made with "actual malice".
Meaning the person who made the statement knew it was false or acted with a reckless disregard for its truth or falsity.
So option A is correct answer.