It's a civil tort, and you have (limited) first amendment protections against having your first amendment rights limited by government intervention via civil co

It's a civil tort, and you have (limited) first amendment protections against having your first amendment rights limited by government intervention via civil court. See also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Times_Co._v._Sullivan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Times_Co._v._Sullivan