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WELCOME TO THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH WIKI!

To learn more about a student who took a stand against the administration at her school in Florida, click on the picture above to watch a YouTube video. Click on the picture above to view an article about case involving Freedom of Speech in Schools. ^^

** FREEDOM OF SPEECH IN SCHOOLS ** - While the U.S. Constitution applies within schools, rights are slightly reduced for the following reasons:


 * Students are minors.
 * Adults serve as employees.
 * A public learning institution requires a peaceful environment to thrive.

- Public schools are in a category all their own. Private and parochial schools, however, are not similarly restricted by ideas of individual rights, free speech, and other liberties. Further, non-public learning places can trample on freedoms with impunity and never face a date in court. -**Students and teachers are free to reveal their views unless there is a compelling reason to stop it. School officials cannot pick and choose the speech they will allow.**

-Sarah Brown

Freedom of Speech on Radios, Television, Newspapers and the Internet. Newspapers:

Thomas Paine's //Common Sense// is one of the reason's why we have freedom of speech today. Click on Paine's picture to see some of his //Common Sense// writings.

Washington Post was one of the first newspapers ever in America. Their guidelines they made for themselves, are now guidelines for many newspapers today:
 * To tell the truth.
 * Tell ALL of the truth.
 * Fit for readers of old and young.
 * Write to the public's whole, not private owners.

If you want to see the Washington Post's time line click on their logo.


 * Television and Radio:**

The Federal Communications Commission regulates what goes on the radio and television. Click on the logo to read the overview of the FCC.



In 1978 there was a case called Pacifica Foundation (a radio station) vs. FCC. This case is one of the biggest reasons why we hear what we hear on the radio and television today. Here is a summary of the case: [|Pacifica Foundation vs. FCC]

Here is a video on how the FCC bleeps out words, their eight second delay, and it the beginning explains what the FCC does. [|FCC interview].

Since the Internet is relatively new, many issues have not been discussed in the courts. Here are some issues that are being worked on:
 * Internet:**
 * Spam- 30 states have passed restrictions on spam. Punishment and boundaries vary on state to state.
 * Hate Speech- Supreme Court has not addressed this issue yet, but there have been some court cases.
 * Cali in 1990 was the first state to pass anti-stalking laws after a murder of Rebecca Schaeffer. All 50 states have now passed anti-stalking laws. But this is different then cyber stalking. 44 states have passed laws on cyber stalking because they believe it leads to violence.

-Maura Gibbons

  Click photo for a link about the almost constitutional amendment banning the desecration of the American flag



Click comic for link to information on Constitutional Conflicts

 -Sam Wenson


 * Freedom of Speech Time line**:

//Below is a simple time line showing some dates that involve freedom of speech.//


 * 399BC ** Socrates speaks to jury at his trial: 'If you offered to let me off this time on condition I am not any longer to speak my mind... I should say to you, "Men of Athens, I shall obey the Gods rather than you."'


 * 1516 ** The Education of a Christian Prince by Erasmus. 'In a free state, tongues too should be free.'


 * 1689 ** Bill of Rights grants 'freedom of speech in Parliament' after James II is overthrown and William and Mary installed as co-rulers.


 * 1789 ** 'The Declaration of the Rights of Man', a fundamental document of the French Revolution, provides for freedom of speech.


 * 1791 ** The First Amendment of the US Bill of Rights guarantees four freedoms: of religion, speech, the press and the right to assemble.


 * 1929 ** Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, of the US Supreme Court, outlines his belief in free speech: 'The principle of free thought is not free thought for those who agree with us but freedom for the thought we hate.'


 * 1992 ** In Manufacturing Consent, Noam Chomsky points out: 'If you're in favour of free speech, then you're in favour of freedom of speech precisely for views you despise.'

-Emily Shimskey

 7thFreedomofSpeech » home

 There are certain things in society that Freedom of Speech does not protect. Examples of these are [|defamation], [|fighting words], certain types of [|pornography], [|perjury], and [|blackmail]. If you are not sure what any of these words mean, click to see a definition from Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary.

 For more information on what Freedom of Speech does not protect, click [|here].  -Maggie McGee

Click on the above picture to view a video about Freedom of Speech in all nations.

USA Today wrote on article on Freedom of Speech and was published in the year 2006. To read it click the below below: -Caroline Powers

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