Laws banning libel in the United States may legally restrict a citizens right to

It legally resticts the right to free speech. The First Amendment of the US Constitution grants the right to free speech, but it does not protect libel. Libel is writing false statements that hurt a person's reputation. These kinds of statements fall under defamation. While the Constitution does not protect libel, it is not a criminal offense. Instead, victims of defamation may take the matter to a civil court.