That's actually technically the law in the US as well, with the addition that the falsehood has to have caused harm (and I think be malicious or grossly neglige

That's actually technically the law in the US as well, with the addition that the falsehood has to have caused harm (and I think be malicious or grossly negligent -- sorry my journalism training is super rusty). It's just that we're so biased towards letting people speak that in practical matters the outcome is uncertain for the wronged party and litigation is expensive. The recent Gawker case should demonstrate that you can successfully sue a media outlet.