![]() Slavery abolitionists, suffragettes, labor rights leaders, civil rights leaders, antiwar protestors - all have been protected from governmental interference by the First Amendment safeguards against the suppression of speech. Freedom of speech gives Americans the right to express themselves without having to worry about government interference. The First Amendment, and the Constitution’s Bill of Rights in general, was created and adopted to safeguard basic civil liberties under the law. How has freedom of speech impacted history? In fact, free speech has enabled free thinking and ideas that have helped shape today’s society in many positive ways. Restricting the speech of one group or individual jeopardizes everyone’s right to free speech because the same laws or regulations used to silence one group - even those with offensive or hateful messages - can be used to silence important speech, including counteracting messages about diversity, inclusion and equality. In this context, the term “speech” is not limited to spoken words it also includes nonverbal expression and symbolic speech, such as what a person wears, reads, performs, protests and more.įree-speech issues can arise when individuals or groups speak what most people in our community consider hateful messages that the university cannot restrict or punish, even if the messages are in conflict with the university’s values. The university is “the government” and is not allowed to interfere with, retaliate against or punish speech, except in very narrow exceptions discussed below. Public universities like NC State are subject to the First Amendment. The First Amendment protects most speech and expression - even speech that many would see as offensive or hateful. ![]() The United States has some of the strongest free-speech protections in the world, and they help form the bedrock of our democracy. Freedom of speech is strongly protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, as well as many state and federal laws. Free Speech and the First Amendment What is freedom of speech, and what does it protect?įreedom of speech is the right of a person to articulate opinions and ideas without interference, retaliation or punishment from the government.
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