Both libel and slander are forms of speech which are protected by the Constitution.

Answer 1

Libel (written) and slander (verbal) are types of the civil tort of defamation. Generally, speech is protected by the First Amendment and the remedy for defamation is a monetary penalty/award. A current issue is the use of injunctions to prevent defamatory online speech which is a form of restraint on free speech. See Ardia, D. S. (2013). Freedom of speech, defamation, and injunctions. William & Mary Law Review, 55(1), 1-84. https://scholarship.law.unc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1039&context=faculty_publications