freedom of speech

"Liars are causing devastating problems. They are endangering public health. They are threatening self-government. They are destroying the reputation of good people - and inflating the reputation of people who are not so good. Nonetheless, falsehoods ought not to be censored or regulated, even if they are lies. Free societies allow them. Public officials should not be allowed to act as the truth police. A key reason is that we cannot trust officials to separate truth from falsehood; their own judgments are unreliable, and their own biases get in the way. If officials are licensed to punish falsehoods, they will end up punishing dissent. The best response to falsehoods is usually to correct them, rather than to punish or censor them. At the same time, governments should have the power to regulate the most harmful lies and falsehoods. In brief: False statements are not constitutionally protected if the government can show that they threaten to cause serious harm. Public officials should be able to restrict and punish lies and falsehoods that pose serious threats to public health and safety. To protect the democratic process, public officials should be able to restrict certain lies and falsehoods. They should be able to safeguard people's reputations. Private institutions, including television networks, magazines, and newspapers, and social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, should be doing much more to slow or stop the spread of lies and falsehoods"--Provided by publisher.

"What is free speech and why is it so special? 'Your Voice is Your Superpower' tells you why your voice matters and how you can use it and also why we must protect everyone's right to free speech"--Back cover.

The right to express one's views without fear of government retribution is central to democracy. A free and unfettered media provides an important check on government power and ensures an informed citizenry. This book details the importance of free expression and a free press. Includes audio, videos, activities, weblinks, slideshows, transparencies, maps, quizzes, and supplementary resources.

"The right to express one's views without fear of government retribution is central to democracy. A free and unfettered media provides an important check on government power and ensures an informed citizenry. [This book] . . . details the importance of free expression and a free press"--Back cover. Includes teacher notes.

"When the United States government passed the Bill of Rights in 1791, its uncompromising protection of speech and of the press were unlike anything the world had ever seen before. But by 1798, the once-dazzling young republic of the United States was on the verge of collapse: Partisanship gripped the weak federal government, British seizures threatened American goods and men on the high seas, and war with France seemed imminent as its own democratic revolution deteriorated into terror. Suddenly, the First Amendment, which protected harsh commentary of the weak government, no longer seemed as practical. So that July, President John Adams and the Federalists in control of Congress passed an extreme piece of legislation that made criticism of the government and its leaders a crime punishable by heavy fines and jail time. In Liberty's First Crisis, writer Charles Slack tells the story of the 1798 Sedition Act, the crucial moment when high ideals met real-world politics and the country's future hung in the balance"--Provided by publisher.

"A university chancellor and a law school dean--both constitutional scholars who teach a course in free speech to undergraduates--argue that campuses must provide supportive learning environments for an increasingly diverse student body but can never restrict the expression of ideas. This book provides the background necessary to understanding the importance of free speech on campus and offers clear prescriptions for what colleges can and can't do when dealing with free speech controversies"--Dust jacket.

Contains alphabetically arranged entries about various topics related to First Amendment rights, with a chronological history and overview of the amendment that discusses freedom of speech, freedom of the press, assembly, association, and petition, and other issues.

"It's a free country! But what does that mean? The five liberties protected by the First Amendment are explained here in . . . rhymes [and] . . . examples demonstrate the meaning of freedom of religion, speech, and the press, and the rights to assemble peacefully and to petition the government"--Provided by publisher.

Explores the issues surrounding ethics in journalism by placing opinions from a wide range of sources in a pro/com format.

"This book is both an explanation of the current political upheaval and your guide to surviving it. This book will inspire you to make up your own mind about what you believe on any issue, and show you how to: check your facts, not your privilege; no matter your gender, economic class, or level of education, you're still allowed to have opinions. [The author] provides a roadmap for true classically liberal principles regardless of your party affiliation, and shows you why freedom is impossible without them. [This book] empowers you with time-tested and common-sense principles that can turn the tide against authoritarians on both sides in this increasingly polarized world. This book is a rallying cry for anyone who wants to live freely, which is quickly becoming the most radical belief you could have"--Provided by publisher.