No they are not
If the defamatory words are in print or the media, it is libel. Oral defamatory statements are categorized as slander.
The word "libel" is a noun. It refers to a published false statement that is damaging to a person's reputation.
slander or libel
Slander, libel, and incitation to criminal acts.
Praise is the word that is different from traduce, defame, and libel because it has a positive connotation, whereas the other three words have negative connotations.
So-called "free" speech ends where libel, slander, defamation, criminal threats, intimidation, etc., begin.
Speech and Debate Clause
A false speech intended to damage a person's reputation is called defamation. Defamation can be in the form of slander (spoken defamation) or libel (written defamation). It involves making false statements about someone that harm their reputation.
Traditionally only slander and libel are restricted. However issues such as flag burning or blatant hate speech have been debated as "protected speech."hate speech
Libel Libra
I'll leave two Related Links - one with the entire speech, and another with the effects after the speech.
In Britain it is called Slander. When written in a book etc, it is called Libel.