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A succession of English thinkers was at the forefront of early discussion on a right to freedom of expression, among them John Milton (1608–74) and John Locke (1632–1704). Locke established the individual as the unit of value and the bearer of rights to life, liberty, property and the pursuit of happiness.
Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826), author of the Declaration of Independence and third President of the United States, articulated and perpetuated the American ideals of liberty and freedom of speech, press, and conscience.
Another very important freedom to the Founding Fathers was freedom of speech. They didn’t want the new government to keep people from speaking up about issues and concerns they had with the government. This freedom prevents the government from punishing people for expressing their opinions.
Freedom of speech was established in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution in 1791 along with freedom of religion, freedom of the press, and the right to assemble.
As George Washington said, “If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.” Freedom of speech has been a basic freedom of our country since it was organized. … We are so lucky to be in a country that supports freedoms such as this.
As president, Jefferson acted outside his legitimate authority on numerous occasions. … Although Jefferson had good intentions, he clearly violated the Constitution by abusing his position as executive of the U.S. In another situation, Jefferson pushed the limits of presidential power by passing the Embargo Act of 1807.
Categories of speech that are given lesser or no protection by the First Amendment (and therefore may be restricted) include obscenity, fraud, child pornography, speech integral to illegal conduct, speech that incites imminent lawless action, speech that violates intellectual property law, true threats, and commercial …
Country | Free Expression Index | 2021 Population |
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United States | 5.73 | 332,915,073 |
Poland | 5.66 | 37,797,005 |
Spain | 5.62 | 46,745,216 |
Mexico | 5.42 | 130,262,216 |
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.
Transcript: The First Amendment’s protections include the vast majority of speech and expression, but it does have its limits. These limits have been carefully honed over decades of case law into a handful of narrow categories of speech that the First Amendment does not protect.
While “hate speech” is not a legal term in the United States, the U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled that most of what would qualify as hate speech in other western countries is legally protected free speech under the First Amendment.
In sum, the founders thought that the First Amendment required Congress to restrict speech and the press only in promotion of the public good, while also guaranteeing more specific legal rules that had long protected expressive freedom.
Arguably, the First Amendment is also the most important to the maintenance of a democratic government. … The freedoms of speech, press, assembly and the right to petition the government and seek redress of grievances proclaim that citizens have the right to call the government to account.
Best type of government: Hamilton was a strong supporter of a powerful central or federal government. His belief was that a governmental power should be concentrated in the hands of those few men who had the talent and intelligence to govern properly for the good of all the people.
Washington, encouraging his men to re-enlist in the army – Tuesday, December 31, 1776 · George Washington’s Mount Vernon. “My brave fellows, you have done all I asked you to do, and more than can be reasonably expected; but your country is at stake, your wives, your houses and all that you hold dear.
George Washington Quotes
If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.
Among his several reasons for opposing a bill of rights was that such documents were often just “parchment barriers” that overbearing majorities violated in the states regardless of whether the written protections for minority rights existed. As he wrote in Federalist Paper No.
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
The U.S. Supreme Court in U.S. v. Eichman invalidates the Flag Protection Act of 1989. The Court finds that the statute violates free speech.
Constitution of the Philippines Saligang Batas ng Pilipinas | |
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Author(s) | Constitutional Commission of 1986 |
Signatories | 47 of the 48 commissioners |
Constitution of the United States | |
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Commissioned by | Congress of the Confederation |
Author(s) | Philadelphia Convention |
Signatories | 39 of the 55 delegates |
Media type | Parchment |
As the third president of the United States, Jefferson stabilized the U.S. economy and defeated pirates from North Africa during the Barbary War. He was responsible for doubling the size of the United States by successfully brokering the Louisiana Purchase. He also founded the University of Virginia.