Free Speech
"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 to peaceably assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States
About the issue:
It could easily be argued that free speech is the highest of our liberties. We exercise our right to free speech in the clothes we wear, the groups we join, sometimes even the money we spend. However, what if our free speech was stifled simply because people disagree?
In a Texas high school, a student wearing a political t-shirt was banned from expressing his free speech on the shirt. When trying to negotiate with the school district, the student tried to wear a shirt with the text of the First Amendment on it, and shockingly, he was blocked from wearing that shirt as well! The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals recently ruled in the case, Palmer v. Waxahachie Independent School District, saying that students have effectively the same free speech rights that are given to pornographers. The U.S. Supreme Court recently denied oral argument time in the case as well.
Also, the free speech of Hannah Giles, the 20-year-old citizen journalist whose undercover ACORN videos have ignited a firestorm over their federal funding, is under attack. Hannah is currently being sued for bringing light to the shady practices of ACORN.
Another fight for free speech is looming in a potential revival of the Fairness Doctrine. The FCC policy, abolished over 20 years ago, would require broadcasters to devote airtime to controversial matters and to opposing views of those matters. The initial purpose of the Fairness Doctrine was to ensure fair coverage of public issues, but it actually diminished public discussion of controversial issues and was used by many presidential administrations to quell opposition to political moves. The Fairness Doctrine, as an FCC policy, can be reinstated by the FCC Chair at any time, making it extremely dangerous.
What We're Doing:
In the past few years, Liberty Institute has had the unique opportunity to stand for free speech in cases such as the case surrounding Hannah Giles and the school speech case of Palmer v. Waxahachie Independent School District. Liberty Institute also opposes any attempt to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine.
Liberty Institute has worked in numerous ways to protect the free speech of Americans. A recent legal win now recognizes Texans' right to speak out in choosing the Texas Speaker of the House. Also, Liberty Institute successfully represented several retirees told by their community center that they would not be allowed to pray aloud or to talk about God.
Liberty Institute is committed to standing for one of our most important First Amendment rights, and will continue to fight to preserve the free speech of all Americans, from the youngest in our society to the oldest.
