To add some specifics, I think the common case outside of the US is one where the published elements must both (a) be true, and; (b) have been published for some "legitimate purpose". The phrase "legitimate purpose" is generally understood to mean "whose primary purpose is not to cause harm or nuisance". An example of legitimate purpose would be governmental transparency. An example in which something true could still be considered libelous might be notifying your ex-spouse's employer of his/her public intoxication charge for the purposes of stunting his/her career.

(I'm basing this general comment on my understanding of French law. I believe it works similarly in many, if not most, European countries. I hope some actual legal experts can weigh in!)

My understanding is that a statement can only be found to be libellous if it is false. If it’s true, it’s not libel.

You are saying this isn’t the case in some places outside the US. Which places, and how so?

Look at the recent reporting around Shinzo Abe's death in Japan for a really good example of different libel laws. In Japan the burden of proof lies with the entity publishing the information.

A lot of the initial headlines were things like "Abe collapses at rally, shots heard" even though the article itself had a video of him getting shot and then falling down. Others just had a headline that equated to "Abe collapses during rally, currently in critical condition" without even mentioning a shooter.

Here's an interesting article about it: https://www.tofugu.com/japan/sued-in-japan/

Even in the US it depends on jurisdiction: https://www.hklaw.com/en/insights/publications/2009/04/feder...

And if it affects the state, truth wasn't/isn't always a defense: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seditious_libel?wprov=sfla1

And in other legal systems, the value of truth depends on whether the case is a private or public one: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defamation?wprov=sfla1

It would surprise me if it is called libel in those countries. The more likely translation would be defamation.

In Sweden for example there is publisher responsibility which can limit truthful but harmful statement. Anti-doxxing laws has a similar purpose. There are also countries where people have a right to be forgotten, especially once a person has served their time in prison.