COMMENTS

  1. Freedom of Speech

    In the United States, the First Amendment protects freedom of speech. The First Amendment was adopted on December 15, 1791 as part of the Bill of Rights—the first ten amendments to the United ...

  2. Why Is Freedom of Speech an Important Right? When, if Ever, Can It Be

    Even though the concept of freedom of speech on its face seems quite simple, in reality there are complex lines that can be drawn around what kinds of speech are protected and in what setting.

  3. Freedom of speech

    freedom of speech, right, as stated in the 1st and 14th Amendments to the Constitution of the United States, to express information, ideas, and opinions free of government restrictions based on content. A modern legal test of the legitimacy of proposed restrictions on freedom of speech was stated in the opinion by Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. in Schenk v. U.S. (1919): a restriction is legitimate ...

  4. Freedom of speech: lesson overview (article)

    Freedom of speech: lesson overview. A high-level overview of what constitutes free speech, as well as the restrictions on free speech permitted by the Supreme Court. Freedom of expression is one of the most fundamental individual liberties protected by the Bill of Rights, as democracy depends upon the free exchange of ideas.

  5. Freedom of speech in the United States

    The First Amendment's freedom of speech right not only proscribes most government restrictions on the content of speech and ability to speak, but also protects the right to receive information, [9] prohibits most government restrictions or burdens that discriminate between speakers, [10] restricts the tort liability of individuals for certain speech, [11] and prevents the government from ...

  6. Chapter 6: The Right to Freedom of Speech

    Freedom of speech did not become a subject of important court cases until the twentieth century when the Supreme Court announced one of the most famous principles in constitutional law, the clear and present danger test. The test was straightforward: government could not restrict speech unless it posed a known, immediate threat to public safety. The standard sought to balance the need for ...

  7. Freedom of speech

    Freedom of speech is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or a community to articulate their opinions and ideas without fear of retaliation, censorship, or legal sanction. The right to freedom of expression has been recognised as a human right in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international human rights law by the United Nations. Many countries have ...

  8. Freedom of Speech

    In the philosophical literature, the terms "freedom of speech", "free speech", "freedom of expression", and "freedom of communication" are mostly used equivalently. This entry will follow that convention, notwithstanding the fact that these formulations evoke subtly different phenomena. For example, it is widely understood that artistic expressions, such as dancing and painting ...

  9. Free Speech

    The fight for freedom of speech has been a bedrock of the ACLU's mission since the organization was founded in 1920, driven by the need to protect the constitutional rights of conscientious objectors and anti-war protesters. The organization's work quickly spread to combating censorship, securing the right to assembly, and promoting free ...

  10. freedom of speech

    Freedom of speech is the right to speak, write, and share ideas and opinions without facing punishment from the government. The First Amendment protects this right by prohibiting Congress from making laws that would curtail freedom of speech. Even though freedom of speech is protected from infringement by the government, the government is still ...

  11. FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

    Freedom of speech, or freedom of expression, applies to ideas of all kinds, including those that may be deeply offensive. While international law protects free speech, there are instances where speech can legitimately restricted under the same law - such as when it violates the rights of others, or, advocates hatred and incites discrimination ...

  12. What is freedom of speech?

    Wrong. 'Freedom of speech is the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, by any means.'. Freedom of speech and the right to freedom of expression applies to ideas of all kinds including those that may be deeply offensive. But it comes with responsibilities and we believe it can be legitimately restricted.

  13. Why is freedom of speech important: 5 reasons I liberties.eu

    1. It battles for the truth. To enable citizens to make meaningful decisions about how they want society to function, they need access to truthful and accurate information about a wide variety of topics. This can only happen if people feel safe vocalizing the issues affecting their communities.

  14. Arguments for freedom: The many reasons why free speech is essential

    Free speech theorists and scholars have advanced a number of reasons why freedom of speech is important. Philosopher Alexander Meiklejohn famously offered that freedom of speech is essential for individuals to freely engage in debate so that they can make informed choices about self-government. Justice Louis Brandeis expressed this sentiment in his concurring opinion in Whitney v. California ...

  15. Freedom of Speech: Historical Background

    Madison's version of the speech and press clauses, introduced in the House of Representatives on June 8, 1789, provided: "The people shall not be deprived or abridged of their right to speak, to write, or to publish their sentiments; and the freedom of the press, as one of the great bulwarks of liberty, shall be inviolable." 1

  16. Why Is Freedom of Speech Important? (20 Reasons)

    Freedom of speech encourages individuals to explore and express their identities, beliefs, and dreams, leading to a richer, more fulfilling human experience. It paves the way for: Self-discovery: Identifying and communicating personal values and passions. Confidence building: Gaining the courage to voice opinions.

  17. What is the role of free speech in a democratic society?

    Ultimately, the health of the First Amendment will depend on two things, Bollinger writes: a continued understanding that free speech plays a critical role in democratic society—and a recognition that the judicial branch doesn't claim sole responsibility for achieving that vision. The legislative and executive branches can support free ...

  18. From Jefferson to Brandeis: The First Amendment, the Declaration, and

    These remarks were delivered by Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, at a May 2, 2022, celebration of the newly installed marble First Amendment tablet, donated to the National Constitution Center by the Freedom Forum. Its design and installation was made possible through the generosity of Judge J. Michael Luttig and Elizabeth Luttig.

  19. Free Speech

    by Peter Berkowitz via Hoover Digest. Free speech defends our other freedoms and offends would-be autocrats. It's time to revive this bedrock American principle. Freedom of speech protects your right to say things that are disagreeable. It gives you—and everyone else—the right to criticize government policies and actions.

  20. Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, and Petition

    First Amendment. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. See Teaching Resources.

  21. The Importance of Freedom of Speech

    While it is important for nations to safeguard freedom of speech, it is also important that individuals recognize that others have the right to speak freely without being subjected to violence or death. Sometimes people speak disparagingly about freedom of speech as if it is no longer to be cherished. This liberty is as precious today as it ...

  22. 2 Minute Speech On The Importance Of Freedom In English

    Freedom is the state of being able to speak, act, and pursue happiness without unneeded external restraints. Freedom is important because it promotes original thought and creative expression, higher productivity, and a high standard of living in general. Each generation needs to rethink and reaffirm the difficult concept of freedom.

  23. Free speech, freedom of religion and campus protests

    Although students in public colleges have the right to exercise their First Amendment rights, the Supreme Court has identified several categories of expression as unprotected speech that it deems ...

  24. 54 Famous Freedom Quotes That'll Inspire You

    Freedom is something people take, and people are as free as they want to be.". — James Baldwin. "Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth." —John F. Kennedy. "He who ...

  25. Australia's eSafety Commission Drops its Case Against X

    In what X is proclaiming as "an important moment for free speech", Australia's eSafety Commissioner has announced that she is abandoning a removal notice put to X regarding footage of a stabbing in a Sydney church. Back in April, a Sydney church leader was stabbed in what authorities later deemed to be a terrorist act.

  26. Nightly News: Kids Edition

    We explain the importance behind freedom of speech and the highest law in the U.S., the First Amendment of the American Constitution. The First Amendment, adopted in 1791 it is part of the Bill of ...