By Maria Hickey, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – 
Americans often take for granted their right to criticize public officials or corporations.
While the First Amendment protects such speech, some charge that libel and defamation lawsuits are being used to silence critics by tying them up in lengthy legal battles.
Missouri is among 23 states that have legislation restricting what are known as SLAPP suits---or Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation.
But as KWMU's Maria Hickey reports, some say more needs to be done.