Now, let’s dissect freedom of speech pros and cons, beginning with pros.įirst, freedom of speech allows citizens to openly dissent against the government without fear of persecution. Still, sociopolitical conflict and social and digital technology advancements fuel clashes over parameters and benefits of free speech worldwide. The United Nations also protects freedom of speech through its Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted in 1948. The amendment simply states: “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.” The Supreme Court determines which types of speech are constitutionally protected in varied settings. ![]() In the US, the First Amendment to the constitution - ratified within the Bill of Rights in 1791 - protects freedom of speech. “The ancient Greek word ‘parrhesia’ means ‘free speech,’ or ‘to speak candidly.’” Athenians freely discussed politics, religion, and government criticism in “some settings.” Before analyzing contentious opinions, let’s review the history of this fundamental ideal.Īccording to, the ancient Greeks established freedom of speech as a democratic principle during the late 5th century. Freedom of Speech Overviewįreedom of speech pros and cons evoke heated debate, despite its status as a cherished American value. To have stories like this and more delivered directly to your inbox, be sure to sign up for our newsletter. This law imperils those liberties.Freedom of speech pros and cons are ripe for debate, despite this democratic principle’s cherished role in American politics. Freedom of speech secures freedom of thought and belief. Becerra : “Governments must not be allowed to force persons to express a message contrary to their deepest convictions. Colorado Civil Rights Commission: “The Constitution ‘commits government itself to religious tolerance, and upon even slight suspicion that proposals for state intervention stem from animosity to religion or distrust of its practices, all officials must pause to remember their own high duty to the Constitution and to the rights it secures.”Ħ. The response to the unreasoned is the rational to the uninformed, the enlightened to the straight-out lie, the simple truth.ĥ. This is the ordinary course in a free society. Alvarez: The remedy for speech that is false is speech that is true. he right of citizens to inquire, to hear, to speak, and to use information to reach consensus is a precondition to enlightened self-government and a necessary means to protect it.”Ĥ. FEC: “Speech is an essential mechanism of democracy, for it is the means to hold officials accountable to the people. The right to think is the beginning of freedom, and speech must be protected from the government because speech is the beginning of thought.”ģ. ![]() Free Speech Coalition: “First Amendment freedoms are most in danger when the government seeks to control thought or to justify its laws for that impermissible end. Inconvenience does not absolve the government of its obligation to tolerate speech.”Ģ. Lee: “The First Amendment is often inconvenient. International Society for Krishna Consciousness v. In honor of his retirement, here are are six quotes from Kennedy on free speech:ġ. A study conducted in 2013 showed that Kennedy was significantly more willing to find a First Amendment violation than the Court as a whole. Yet there was one area of jurisprudence on which Kennedy was consistently praiseworthy: freedom of speech. For this reason many conservatives (including me) are relieved to be able to replace him on the high court. When he nominated Kennedy, President Ronald Reagan called the justice a “true conservative.” But over the years, Kennedy often served as a “swing vote” and sided with the court’s liberal faction in a vast number of substantial rulings. ![]() Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy announced yesterday that at the end of next month he will retire from the U.S.
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