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Simple English definitions for legal terms

freedom of speech

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A quick definition of freedom of speech:

Freedom of speech means that people have the right to say what they think and share their ideas without getting in trouble with the government. This is protected by the First Amendment. However, there are some situations where the government can limit speech, like if it's obscene or indecent, defamatory, or incites violence. Private companies and employers can also limit speech on their platforms and in their workplaces. This means that while people have the right to speak their minds, they also need to be responsible and respectful of others.

A more thorough explanation:

Freedom of speech is the right to express your thoughts and opinions without being punished by the government. The First Amendment of the United States Constitution protects this right by preventing Congress from making laws that limit freedom of speech.

However, there are some circumstances where the government can restrict speech. For example:

  • Obscenity and Indecency: The government can ban media that is considered obscene or child pornography. Indecent speech, which describes or depicts offensive sexual activity, is generally protected, but the government can regulate it on radio and television if there is a compelling reason and it is done in the least restrictive manner.
  • Defamation: Private and public figures can sue someone for making false statements about them. Public figures must prove that the person made the statement with malice, while private figures must prove that the person failed to act with reasonable care.
  • Incitement: Speech that intends to incite violations of the law is not protected under the First Amendment.
  • Fighting words: Speech that is likely to provoke violence or a physical altercation is not protected.

It's important to note that private entities, such as companies and private employers, can regulate speech on their platforms and within their workplace since the First Amendment only applies to the government. For example, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter were able to ban President Donald Trump from their sites in 2021 without legal repercussion.

In the case Manhattan Community Access Corporation v. Halleck, the Supreme Court affirmed that private entities are not restricted by the First Amendment. Manhattan Neighborhood Network, a nonprofit that operates public access channels in Manhattan, suspended two employees after receiving complaints about a film they produced. The employees argued that this was a violation of their First Amendment rights, but the Supreme Court held that the nonprofit couldn't be subjected to the First Amendment since it was not a government entity or a state actor.

Similarly, in Nyabwa v. Facebook, the Southern District of Texas affirmed that private entities are not subject to the First Amendment. The plaintiff sued Facebook for locking his account after he spoke about President Donald Trump's business conflicts of interest. The court dismissed the lawsuit, stating that the First Amendment only prevents Congress and other government entities from restricting freedom of speech, not private entities.

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Help us make LSD better!
Tell us what's important to you
Roughly translated lol
And maybe I can transfer and being debt free is a blessing, especially now that America is being made great again by causing the second great depression
I'm really tired of winning Mr. President
I'm gonna try to transfer lol, even though I have a near fullride right now
Or maybe you'll fall in love with Miami!
FSU is Tallahassee, I meant working in Miami eventually since it's the big city of Florida
It's not too bad of an idea, and doesn't seem like a bad lifepath
Ahhh yeah okay I'd personally hate Tallahassee BUT I stand by what I've said lol
CheeseIsMyLoveLanguage
19:57
@hcarralero2005: I thought law school transfers aren't eligible for scholarships at their new schools?
MeowPossibilities
20:06
Im starting to lose hope on these WL's
20:10
The consensus is not to expect a scholly, but they are possible circumstances dependent. For reference, I encourage you to check this out: https://www.reddit.com/r/LawSchoolTransfer/search/?q=scholarship&cId=a09e81d4-20c7-4f14-bb49-b638a2ffa5fc&iId=ee1f716a-b5ab-4271-919e-4fc7093cd1dd and do some research NOW if you are planning on transferring. YMMV
20:10
there are* not they fml
Only spineless cucks transfer
starfishies
20:47
the only thing ive heard about transfers are that ppl are v ominous about it on reddit
20:58
@FancyAmericanGirl: guilty as charged,
20:58
@starfishies: how was the lsat
@starfishies: some washu chick said you get fucked on groups if you dont do it 1L so there is that
21:35
Wash Who?
21:55
Just got accepted into NSU !!
Hello
22:00
@EcoLand: CONRATZZ
22:00
!!!! Well done!!
22:37
@hcarralero2005: mine r the same lol
22:37
i will pay sticka if i transfer
22:37
@EcoLand: congrats!!
WaryScientificPuffin
22:45
if anyone has been accepted to UF/FSU could u plsssss update it to the site?
starfishies
23:42
@llama: it was good in the sense that there were no issues!
starfishies
23:42
i liked the testing center surprisingly
starfishies
23:43
whatever score i get out of it is what it is but im glad i at least got a good shot at it
0:38
@starfishies: yayy congrats
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