What type of expression is generally not protected under the First Amendment?

The type of expression that is generally not protected under the First Amendment is defamation. Defamation refers to making false statements about a person that can harm their reputation. The First Amendment protects various forms of speech, but it does not allow individuals to make untrue statements that can unjustly damage someone else's character or livelihood. This limitation is in place to ensure that individuals have the right to protect their reputation from harmful lies.

While political speech, commercial speech, and hate speech may face restrictions and scrutiny, they are typically afforded varying degrees of protection under the First Amendment. For instance, political speech is often considered the most protected form due to its importance in democracy, while commercial speech, which relates to advertising and commerce, is protected but with more regulation compared to political speech. Hate speech, although controversial and often criticized, is usually protected unless it incites immediate violence or constitutes a direct threat. Defamation is unique in that it lacks First Amendment protection, allowing individuals to seek legal redress for false, damaging statements made about them.