The Sanders Firm, P.C.: Freedom of Speech is Basic
In the United States, freedom of speech is one of the most basic rights. In New York, The Sanders Firm, P.C. is dedicated to protecting this right. Every day in the U.S we are eyewitnesses to hundreds and even thousands of people enjoying and utilizing this basic civil right. Freedom of speech is the basis of our democracy, as it allows for the free flow of ideas, debate, and communication.
The First Amendment and Speech
In the First Amendment, there are various references to free expression. Specifically, the amendment names freedom of “speech” and also “the press.” Many see freedom of the press as being closely connected to freedom of speech. In essence, the founding fathers guaranteed that we could both freely speak and write what we thought.
Freedom of speech allows us to state our opinions, present ideas, and openly debate topics without fear of government reprisal. Additionally, this freedom permits us to openly present our ideas in open public forums. Today this freedom extends to areas that the founders could never imagine, including video, film, recordings, and the Internet.
Your Civil Rights
Freedom of speech means that you may openly criticize the government. It means that anyone may. Freedom of speech also permits us to express ourselves creatively, to endorse causes, and to simply speak our minds.
The freedom to speak, either orally or through the written word, cannot be abridged by the Congress. Which means no law may be passed that prohibits this right.
We thought.
Freedom of speech allows us to state our opinions, present ideas, and openly debate topics without fear of government reprisal. Additionally, this freedom permits us to openly present our ideas in open public forums. Today this freedom extends to areas that the founders could never imagine, including video, film, recordings, and the Internet.
Violations of Speech
Although Congress may not make a law that negates freedom of speech, our history is filled with incidents in which freedom of speech has been curtailed by local, state, and the federal government. Censorship of performers, writers, and others has occurred. Often these instances are connected to other laws, such as those focusing on obscenity.
Interestingly, issues regarding freedom of speech have extended beyond government involvement. How far does the right to free speech extend? Can an employer stop you from having a political bumper sticker on your wall? Are you allowed to use social media to criticize a business where you’ve had a bad experience? What if you create a work of art that people find to be offensive? Can they have it removed?
All of these situations have been sources of debate and have been aired in a court of law. The point is that freedom of speech has become much more complicated than those who first embraced it ever imagined.
Has Your Freedom of Speech Been Violated?
At The Sanders Firm, P.C. in New York we get numerous queries each week regarding the violation of freedom of speech. Each case is unique and each complaint has to be weighed carefully. Although freedom of speech is clearly and specifically defined by the First Amendment, its innumerable applications make it a complex issue. If you believe your freedom of speech has been violated, contact The Sanders Firm, P.C. We at The Sanders Firm, P.C. are ready to be your voice for justice.
