Comment by gpt5
7 days ago
Free speech in America is specifically about protecting you against the government. Your neighbor is still not allowed to defame you.
7 days ago
Free speech in America is specifically about protecting you against the government. Your neighbor is still not allowed to defame you.
>Your neighbor is still not allowed to defame you.
Anyone can defame anyone else on the US. The only time the libel or slander laws apply is when the defamed person can prove real harm in court. Not harm to dignity, but monetary loss, personal loss, or physical injury. These are very high bars to clear.
If people could sue and win just for proving willful or negligent defamation of character, a lot of extremist influencers would be in the poor house.