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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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babycat
19:51
I love when a Latina is redhead. Like damn bitch u really have it all
19:52
let me check the chart, let me check the chart- that is not readable! off the chart, HOUSTON WE HAVE A PROBLEM!
babycat
19:53
hahahaha
19:54
ok I gotta go, my time derailing the LSD general is over. sowwy! byeee
bye bye bestie
Dkk
19:54
Nah not in my case lol. It's cus you posted in general! That way you could tag me!
19:54
*good ridden!*
Dkk
19:54
Adios!
[] notacat
20:50
Do you guys know if the LSAdmit program is working on your end right now? It's not working on mine
20:53
Anyone here done the Cornell Kira? Was wondering if anyone had any tips 🙏
21:13
@KnowledgeableRitzyWasp: ^^ seeking corn-hell advice
21:15
@babycat: unrelated but every time I saw ur old handle i thought of this lyric: https://youtu.be/V90loMCyxa0?t=34
What does "Hold" mean on the result column?
21:28
@ClockworkBlue: on LSD?
yeah
babycat
21:30
A hold is not exactly a waitlist, but it means they’re waiting to give you a decision later
babycat
21:31
@llama: nice
21:32
@ClockworkBlue: what babycat said, the link reads as the school always initiates the 'hold' status, however [in my case] sometimes applicants ask to be placed on 'hold' pending a score (LSAT, final semester of UG, etc).
21:32
@babycat: just had to get that off my chest.
cornell kira is just about performing well under pressure and having substantive content in your questions
so just try to stay calm and pace your responses so you give good answers during the interview
21:44
so just don't sperg out on camera and ur good?
yeah pretty much, you get some leniency too. they expect you to not be perfect under pressure
babycat
22:09
i’m sleepy :(
go to sleeb
ShiveringCleverFlounder
0:24
Hey guys it all works out, I’m in law school now with a phat scholly just so yall know there’s light at the end of the apps tunnel
Wrong I’m homeless
ShiveringCleverFlounder
0:25
bro what
m10
3:20
Wow, Stanford PhD big brain here. Yikes!: https://x.com/dotkrueger/status/1850698550297899235
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