1. U.S Political News presents to you:
a debate between the right to
freedom of speech
NEWS REPORTERS: TINJIA HWANG,
PROSPERITY FIELDS,
AND TYANA ADJIE

2. What is freedom of Limits to the freedom of
speech? speech
 Freedom of speech is the right  The right to freedom of
to freely express yourself expression, in a circumstance
through speech without that is causing harm to public
censorship or limitation. It is safety, national security, or some
important to our nation’s other important interest, if the
society because it allows one to threat exceeds restrictions, can
freely express their opinions be limited.
and exchange their personal  Also the right to freedom of
ideas. We should expression can be limited if it is
understand, learn inconsistent with other rights.
from, discuss, and take notice  The first amendment does not
of other peoples’ ideas and defend the right to freedom of
interests to better our society. speech if it is being used in
But, sometimes, just like in unlawful ways or to rouse
many other cases, freedom of violence and illegal actions.
speech requires certain  Speech that is harmful to
limitations. children, a danger to you or your
environment, can be restricted.

3.  freedom of speech can severely harm others, both
R mentally and physically.
E  cyber bullying is allowed under freedom of speech
A f  merchants may mislead consumers
 people may go around stating their opinions that conflict
S r with other's opinions and get into violent fights
O e  little to no order in certain situations
s
N e  verbal bullying and cyber bullying may "push" kids to
p become less and less confident
S c
e  during trials, people are free to say whatever they want
d
e and choose to not follow the oath and falsely accuse
A o others of crimes convicted by themselves or someone else
c
G m  consumers may say that they want to buy products that
h they do not want
A
 people can claim to be a completely different person than
I o they are in reality
N f  people can easily spread false rumors around, hurting
S others
 freedom of speech can endanger many people, and even
T
the nation as a whole

4. Reasons for Freedom of Speech
And why the Framers wanted it in the Constitution
 If our right to express ourselves through limited was limited, we as citizens
would not have a say in our own government. Without the citizens’ say in
government, would we not be ruled under a dictatorship? The first
Americans came to the “New World” to escape the British monarchy in
Great Britain. We would not have a democratic government if citizens do
not have a say in it.
 If freedom of speech was prohibited, consumers of a certain product would
not be able to express how they feel about the product; therefore providers
wouldn’t be able to accurately provide. Supply and demand would no
longer be in effect because consumers could not demand what they want to
be supplied.
 During trial, under false accusation, and in public, citizens wouldn’t be able
to defend or protect themselves without the right to freedom of speech.

5. Cases About Freedom of Speech that went to the Supreme Court
After the right was put in the Constitution
Tinker vs. Des Moines (1969) - John and Mary Beth Tinker wanted to respectfully
protest against the Vietnam war so they went to school wearing black armbands. The
school principal decided to ban the wearing of black armbands at the school. When the
students refused to remove their armbands, they were suspended. This case soon went to
the U.S. Supreme Court. The court ruled in the Tinkers’ favor because their actions of
expression did not interfere with the educational process and that the students had a right
to freedom of speech.
Ladue vs. Gilleo (1994) - A resident of Ladue, Missouri made a paper sign the read “For
Peace in the Gulf” that she put in her second-story window to protest against the fighting in
the Persian Gulf. Ms. Gilleo was told that the sign was a violation of a city ordinance. She
claimed that it was the same as putting up a “For Sale” or “Proliferate” sign and that those
signs would probably be treated differently. The Court ruled in the favor of Ms. Gilleo
because the city ordinance violated the right of freedom of speech.
Feiner vs. New York (1949) – A college student presented a speech on a downtown city
street in Syracuse, New York. In his speech, he had mentioned rude comments about
different politicians. Along with that, he had also suggested that African- Americans are
often abused and do not have the same rights as the Americans do. This caused the crowd
of about 80 people, listening to his speech, to get restless and angry. When the police asked
him to end his speech, he unwillingly refused, forcing the police to arrest him under the
crime of disrupting the peace and disorderly conduct. The court ruled against Feiner,
convicting him guilty of disorderly conduct, and reasoned that his lecture might have
caused a riot or disturbance.

6. Summary
Against the right to freedom For the right to freedom of
of speech speech
 Freedom of speech can lead  Freedom of speech is a way
into dangerous physical to communicate with
acts. others your real thoughts
 Speeches supporting riots and opinions, if such were
or destruction can lead to to be limited, no one would
crimes and injuries of be able to say what they
others. really think.
 Unjust use of the right to  To improve society and
freedom of speech can government, the people
cause disruption in the must suggest ideas that
educational process at would benefit and perfect
school. the nation more.

7. Questions
How many amendments are on the Bill of rights?
10 amendments
How many amendments are there in all on the constitution?
27 amendments
What was the amendment presented in this news report?
Freedom of speech
What is freedom of speech?
The right to freely express yourself without limitation
Which amendment is freedom of speech declared in?
Amendment 1

8. Questions…continued
How can the Freedom of speech be limited?
If it is being used to cause violence, harm, disruption, etc.
In the case of Ladue vs. Gilleo, the resident posted the sign on her
window in opposition of what?
The fighting in the Persian Gulf
In the case of Tinker vs. Des Moines, which side did the supreme
court favor?
The Tinkers side
What are some reasons against the freedom of speech?
What are some reasons supporting the freedom of speech?