Free speech is the freedom to say 2 + 2 = 4. It is not the freedom to scream FIRE in a crowded theater. Free speech is the freedom to say the president is a little handed egomaniac who is doing more harm to the country by caging children than he is doing good by enriching himself. It is not the freedom to be a bigot on a social media platform.
There is no such thing as “hate speech”. But the First Amendment only prevents the govt from censoring you; it does not apply to private companies like Facebook. Facebook, unlike the govt, is free to censor at will.
Freedom of speech does not mean freedom from responsibility for consequences of that speech.
Yelling “fire” in a crowded theater? Feel free to do it, but be prepared to be held responsible for any injury or other damage that results. The charge of inciting to riot is another example.
Stephen Runnels Premium Member over 5 years ago
How do you define hate speech? Just listen to Alex Jones for a few minutes.
Mr. Blawt over 5 years ago
Free speech is the freedom to say 2 + 2 = 4. It is not the freedom to scream FIRE in a crowded theater. Free speech is the freedom to say the president is a little handed egomaniac who is doing more harm to the country by caging children than he is doing good by enriching himself. It is not the freedom to be a bigot on a social media platform.
rowena28 Premium Member over 5 years ago
There is no such thing as “hate speech”. But the First Amendment only prevents the govt from censoring you; it does not apply to private companies like Facebook. Facebook, unlike the govt, is free to censor at will.
gammaguy over 5 years ago
“I know it when I see it.”
But others seem to say: “I sow it when I need it.”
gammaguy over 5 years ago
Freedom of speech does not mean freedom from responsibility for consequences of that speech.
Yelling “fire” in a crowded theater? Feel free to do it, but be prepared to be held responsible for any injury or other damage that results. The charge of inciting to riot is another example.