Freedom of Speech

August 15, 2023
A concise examination of freedom of speech as interpreted by the courts, offering readers insights into debates surrounding this issue in today's world. The introduction highlights the complexities of this topic by offering an overview of a recent case involving the Albany Unified School District in California and the expulsion of students who posted racist content on Instagram. The first chapter, "The Doctrine of Free Speech," delves into the counterspeech doctrine and the marketplace of ideas by examining the beliefs of people including John Milton, Elon Musk, and various Supreme Court justices. The remaining chapters--"Free Speech on Campus," "False and Misleading Information," "Regulating Hate Speech," and "The War on Government Leaks"--include coverage of specific incidents that led to (or tested) precedent-setting cases as well as explanations of majority and dissenting opinions. Sidebars highlight important quotes from notable figures involved in First Amendment debates. The chapter on hate speech provides sobering statistics on the correlation between the rise in online hate speech and real-world hate crimes and the complications in relation to the standard for incitement set by the Supreme Court. Each scenario leads readers to a deeper understanding that laws surrounding free speech are far from definitively settled. The clean design and accessible text make this a valuable resource for report writers and others interested in this subject. A balanced, practical introduction to constitutional law and the thorny subject of free speech. (picture credits, source notes, organizations and websites, further reading, index) (Nonfiction. 12-18)

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