censorship

Free Speech
Geraldine Freeman
The American constitution POL 303
Professor Tricia D’Ambrosio-Woodward
April 26, 2014

The first amendment guarantees a right to freedom of speech, but how far does that the right of freedom of speech reach? Is there a limit to what you are allowed to say without being penalized under the court of law? Can the government suppress your right of speech if it violates civil standards? These are some of the many questions in will be discussing through this paper with you. According to the first amendment of the us constitution, one of the basic principles our country is based on is freedom of speech. Solely because of this as ages has passed in a still young country. The first amendment has greater use then previously stated its intentions to be. What speech is such thus uses to reach this liberation and freedom? Freedom of speech is the most powerful amendments that we have in the United States constitution, without this right many of the things we see today such as technology, music, and innovations would not subsist in our modern world that we live in, civilization would be left oblivious. Just think if you could be fined, jailed, or killed for speaking your mind. Freedom of speech is American citizens a basic line of communication for whatever one chooses to believe in, with freedom of speech you are able to express your thoughts freely without many judging, and followers of your beliefs will speak stronger and in volumes. This amendment also entails that there be separation of the church and state be maintained. Free speech sounds like a simple thought but when you actually contemplate on the subject without free speech this world that we live in today would be very much different from what we are living in now. Think about the things that are going on today, things that you read and see on the web or on television you would not be able to see if free speech was not implemented in our constitution life would beat to one person accord and all citizens would have to obey and follow. Freedom of speech is a birth right to all citizens to allow them to speak their mind freely to anyone at any time, but with this freedom there are some exclusions to this rule. As I stated before this amendment at first thought seemly sounds simple but there are limitations and boundaries of which issues and incidents are covered are very much so complex and varies such as what is legal what is illegal? What happens when you break these rules? Of course there are boundaries with free speech but with the ever changing of times freedom of speech boundaries are being stretched but are they being stretched too far?
Some of the limitations to freedom of speech are false statements of facts, obscenity, child pornography, threats, and also speech that are owned by others. These limitations are all excused from the first amendment protection so prosecutors can and will be prosecutors The constitution of the united states, clearly states in the first amendment that "congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances" this amendment is a guarantee that all citizens will have free speech, but again this free speech comes with limitations such as censorships that we see on a daily basis through music, and media. Free speech is a very debatable issue that is faces us every day, the government feels as if they can control what we can and cannot say. Ultimately what really makes the deciding factor or what can be said in the public without offending your society and or peers? The freedom of speech in the first amendment has been controlled for the protection of the people , example of this in my city you cannot drive down center city with you music load, nor can you scream at the top of yours lungs for hours on in just because you feel like it is your right to do so.