What historical events have significantly impacted free speech in the United States? Provide examples of the three events you perceive as being most influential in the evolution of free speech in the U.S

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answer: Events being perceived as influential will vary, but answers should include the following historical events: 1791 - First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guaranteed that “Congress shall make no law . . . abridging the freedom of speech.” 1919- Supreme Court ruled that it was lawful to restrict speech that presented “a clear and present danger” to the nation. This led to the founding of the American Civil Liberties Union, the first organization formed to protect free speech. 1940 - Congress declared it illegal to urge the violent overthrow of the federal government. However, for most of the last half of the twentieth century, the Supreme Court continued to protect rather than to limit free speech, upholding it as “the core aspect of democracy.” 1964 - Supreme Court narrowed the definition of slander and ruled that before a public official can recover damages for slander, he or she must prove that the slanderous statement was made with “actual malice.” 1989 - Supreme Court defended the burning of the U.S. flag as a “speech act” protected by the First Amendment. 1997 - Supreme Court struck down the federal Communications Decency Act of 1996 and ruled that “the interest in encouraging freedom of expression in a democratic society outweighs any theoretical but unproven benefit of censorship.” 2001 - The September 11 terrorist attacks sparked passage of the Patriot Act and new debate over the balance between national security and free speech. 2010s - In a digital era, free speech, especially via the Internet and cell phones, has become a global issue.