Essay Costs and benefits of free speech and press - 826 Words

Freedom of speech and press, or freedom of expression, are fundamental rights. Without these freedoms a truly free society cannot exist. By definition, they allow the citizens to communicate their ideas both verbally and in print. There are many advantages, as well as disadvantages, that an individual receives these rights. However, as with most constitutional freedoms, free of expression can be limited under certain circumstances. The First Amendment in the United States Constitution states ?Congress shall make no law?abridging the freedom of speech, or the press According to the Framers, the freedom to express individual views is vital to a free government and from their personal experience the freedom to write and publish also†¦show more content†¦There are some downsides to freedom of speech and press too. Free expression lets anyone to speak their mind on anything. For example, on September 17, 2007, a student named John Meyers was tasered by police after asking John Ke rry questions at a public forum held at the University of Florida. He was then arrested for resisting an officer and disturbing the peace, but, he could not be arrested for the questions he asked Kerry. To cut conflicts that may arise when invoking the right of free expression the government has enacted limitations on this freedom. Time, place, and manner restrictions are placed on free expression in the interest of public safety. They govern when, where, and how, what one may say or write without stating exactly what is allowed to be said. One case of restricting free speech in the interest of public safety is the regulation of cigarette commercials on TV. The courts decided that for public health reasons advertisements on TV must be regulated. Other limitations include the freedom to say and print what one?s wants, so long as it does not contain military secrets, will not directly cause a riot, and does not present a ?clear and present danger?. The Supreme Court upholds these restrictions as well as the idea of neutrality, and will sometimes limit speech andShow MoreRelatedFirst Amendment Paper1372 Words   |  6 PagesThe First Amendment Freedom is being breached all over the U.S and most of it is being taken away from the press. Sure the Patriot Act is killing everyones privacy in secrecy all over the US, but journalists and reporters are being put in jail right and left. The government has infringed on their rights in a way that should not be with the first amendment. It seems like the more people let the government do, the more steps the government takes to take first amendment rights from people. ForRead MoreThe War Of Iraq And The Buildup Was A Press Success872 Words   |  4 PagesGenerally speaking, the war in Iraq and the buildup was a press success. The U.S. went into the campaign with a majority vote, it then destroyed the country, while it led to the hanging of their then President Saddam Hussein. Even with no evidence to support that Iraq participated in 9/11 or had Weapons of Mass Destruction, this happened; for the press their role in promoting Iraq was a success. The shaping that took place was in troduced when President George W. Bush announced that there was an,Read MoreEssay on Internet Censorship1038 Words   |  5 Pagesactivity of chidren is the role of a parent and not a function of the government. The cost of protecting our children should not be at the cost of our constitutional rights and freedom of speech. The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution clearly states that 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 GovernmentRead MoreEssay about Role of Law in the Little Rock Crisis2317 Words   |  10 Pages Freedom of speech and press, or freedom of expression, are fundamental rights. Without these freedoms a truly free society cannot exist. By definition, they allow the citizens to communicate their ideas both verbally and in print. There are many advantages, as well as disadvantages, that an individual receives these rights. However, as with most constitutional freedoms, free of expression can be limited under certain circumstances. 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I think that colleges should acknowledge known trigger warnings when applicable and educate the students and factuality to reduce mental illnesses that are accompanied with trigger warnings and to ensure that studentsRead MoreSocial Issue: Health Care910 Words   |  4 PagesObama’s current health care law. There are many benefits to this plan: People w ho already have health insurance can keep it. They’ll get free preventative care including check-ups and vaccinations. Children and young adults will be able to stay on their family plan until they turn 26. There have been arguably more problems created by it for American citizens. Just recently in The New York Times, the article â€Å"Lower Health Care Premiums to Come at Cost of Fewer Choices† talks about these issues.