Freedom of Speech, Press, and Assembly
Deals with the second half of the First Amendment, which addresses the freedom of speech, press, and assembly, and the freedom to petition. Also addresses peripheral issues, such as corporate censorship of political speech and the FCC crackdown on indecency.
Does Hate Crime Legislation Threaten Free Speech?
Does hate crime legislation threaten free speech?
Does hate crime legislation threaten free speech?
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
A guide to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), with definition, links to full text of the bill, and other resources.
A guide to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), with definition, links to full text of the bill, and other resources.
The Open Government Directive (OGD)
Definition and explanation of the Open Government Directive (OGD), established by the Barack Obama administration on his first day in office.
Definition and explanation of the Open Government Directive (OGD), established by the Barack Obama administration on his first day in office.
Nipplegate
Definition of nipplegate.
Definition of nipplegate.
Censorship in the United States
The right to free speech is a longstanding U.S. tradition, but actually respecting the right to free speech is not.
The right to free speech is a longstanding U.S. tradition, but actually respecting the right to free speech is not.
Crossing the Line
Remembering the life of George Carlin, and its impact on free speech.
Remembering the life of George Carlin, and its impact on free speech.
Review: 'This Film is Not Yet Rated'
A review of "This Film is Not Yet Rated" (2006), a film by documentarian Kirby Dick.
A review of "This Film is Not Yet Rated" (2006), a film by documentarian Kirby Dick.
Free Speech 101
An overview of important free speech issues, with links to in-depth coverage.
An overview of important free speech issues, with links to in-depth coverage.
Newt Gingrich and Free Speech: A New Sedition Act?
On November 27th, 2006, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich argued that free speech should not receive the same level of protection in the post-9/11 world that it has in the past.
On November 27th, 2006, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich argued that free speech should not receive the same level of protection in the post-9/11 world that it has in the past.
The Child Online Protection Act (COPA) of 1998
If upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, the Child Online Protection Act (COPA) of 1998 would impose harsh criminal penalties on any material the government deems "harmful to minors."
If upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, the Child Online Protection Act (COPA) of 1998 would impose harsh criminal penalties on any material the government deems "harmful to minors."
"Obscene" Literary Classics
Ten great literary classics that were targeted by obscenity trials. Includes James Joyce's "Ulysses," D.H. Lawrence's "Lady Chatterley's Lover," Gustave Flaubert's "Madame Bovary," Arundhati Roy's "The God of Small Things," Allan Ginsberg's "Howl and Other Poems," William S. Burroughs' "Naked Lunch," Henry Miller's "Tropic of Cancer," Radclyffe Hall's "The Well of Loneliness," John Cleland's "Fanny Hill," and more.
Ten great literary classics that were targeted by obscenity trials. Includes James Joyce's "Ulysses," D.H. Lawrence's "Lady Chatterley's Lover," Gustave Flaubert's "Madame Bovary," Arundhati Roy's "The God of Small Things," Allan Ginsberg's "Howl and Other Poems," William S. Burroughs' "Naked Lunch," Henry Miller's "Tropic of Cancer," Radclyffe Hall's "The Well of Loneliness," John Cleland's "Fanny Hill," and more.
History of Flag Burning Laws - History of U.S. Laws Against Flag Desecration
Information about laws banning the burning and other desecration of the American flag, Texas v. Johnson, the Flag Protection Act, and the Flag Desecration Amendment.
Information about laws banning the burning and other desecration of the American flag, Texas v. Johnson, the Flag Protection Act, and the Flag Desecration Amendment.
Winners of the Thomas Jefferson Center's 2006 Muzzle Awards
Looking for the Muzzle Awards given in 2006 by the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression? Look here for awards won by George W. Bush and the U.S. Department of Justice.
Looking for the Muzzle Awards given in 2006 by the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression? Look here for awards won by George W. Bush and the U.S. Department of Justice.
Court Decisions on Free Speech
Atheism and Agnosticism Guide Austin Cline reviews landmark cases in the history of American free speech.
Atheism and Agnosticism Guide Austin Cline reviews landmark cases in the history of American free speech.
Order vs. Liberty: The Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798
Less than a decade after James Madison proposed the Bill of Rights, President John Adams signed the Sedition Act into law. The bill, which made it illegal to criticize government officials under certain circumstances, was targeted at supporters of Adams' strongest challenger, Thomas Jefferson. About.com American History Guide Martin Kelly reports.
Less than a decade after James Madison proposed the Bill of Rights, President John Adams signed the Sedition Act into law. The bill, which made it illegal to criticize government officials under certain circumstances, was targeted at supporters of Adams' strongest challenger, Thomas Jefferson. About.com American History Guide Martin Kelly reports.
Politics and Journalism as Spectacle
The First Amendment's guarantee of a free press assumes a press free of government control. Today, the greater immediate threat to a free press is corporate control. Austin Cline, your About.com Guide to Atheism and Agnosticism, explains.
The First Amendment's guarantee of a free press assumes a press free of government control. Today, the greater immediate threat to a free press is corporate control. Austin Cline, your About.com Guide to Atheism and Agnosticism, explains.
Emma Goldman - Feminist and Free Speech Activist
About.com Women's History Guide Jone Johnson Lewis profiles the anarcho-socialist activist Emma Goldman (1869-1940), who was targeted by the U.S. government for her opinions during the first Red Scare of the late 1910s.
About.com Women's History Guide Jone Johnson Lewis profiles the anarcho-socialist activist Emma Goldman (1869-1940), who was targeted by the U.S. government for her opinions during the first Red Scare of the late 1910s.
Radio in Persecution: A Chronology of Recent FCC Actions
Radio Guide Corey Deitz provides a timeline of FCC action during 2004 and 2005, at the height of the anti-indecency campaign.
Radio Guide Corey Deitz provides a timeline of FCC action during 2004 and 2005, at the height of the anti-indecency campaign.
The American Civil Liberties Union - Free Speech
The ACLU's advocacy page for free speech issues, with up-to-the-minute news, links, and special reports.
The ACLU's advocacy page for free speech issues, with up-to-the-minute news, links, and special reports.