A Practice Note discussing common defenses and arguments that defendants may raise when seeking to dismiss or oppose defamation (libel and slander) claims under Texas law. This Note discusses defenses such as substantial truth, opinion and rhetorical hyperbole, consent, the absolute privilege that protects high-ranking executive officials, legislators, and judicial proceeding participants, common law and statutory qualified immunity, the fair comment defense, the statute of limitations, Texas's anti-SLAPP law, the Texas Defamation Mitigation Act, and the Communications Decency Act.