If the First Amendment is supposed to defend our freedom of expression, why do we have censorship?

Question

It sort of defeats the purpose of the First Amendment, doesn't it?

Answer 1

Your other respondents have already given you the basic answer. Where your expression creates an imminent danger to other citizens, then that expression is not allowed. Some words are considered too inflammatory for public expression, or "fighting words". You cannot express yourself to the point of provoking others to violence or panic where public safety is jeopardized. That is common sense and our laws were written with a common sense public in mind. In other words, most of us know what is right and what is wrong. We know better than to incite a riot with lying words in a polarized crowd for instance. Because some people are too dense to use common sense, we have had to verbalize and memorialize some of those restrictions. Call it censorship if you wish but it is really stating certain restrictions on the freedom of expression that most of us already clearly understand.

Answer 2

Yes, to an extent. However, if the government were to allow complete freedom it would lead to potentially riotous behavior or other problems. There are times when the government has to take into consideration the safety of its citizens. Just like obscenity is not generally protect because it can damage children etc. The prime example of this is you cannot scream fire in a crowded theater. If you did so your expression could lead to the imminent danger/potential injury of many people. Hope this answered the question.

Answer 3

Depends on what is being censored and if it actually counts as intelligent expression. The First Amendment doesn't protect one's ability to make senseless noise, for example. For things like curse words on television, the thought behind the words aren't being censored, just the obsenity itself. Language is so wonderful that it is possible to express one's self to a better degree without the use of those words.

As for other things that get censored (nudity, for example), often there isn't any effort at communication behind it. It such instances, it isn't so much expression as a state of being that can be observed; it is no more protected by the first amendment than a bowl of fruit.

Answer 4

The Freedom of Speech in the admendment is more complex then just those words. You can't threaten someone or yell "fire" in a movie theater...it can endanger people's lives and overrides the "freedom" that the amendment allows for.

Answer 5

We actually don't have that much government censorship.

The main areas where we do are in the broadcast media. That's because the government owns the airwaves, so they get to call the shots. Yet another reason why the airwaves should be privatized.

Answer 6

Sure we have censorship. How many times have you heard, "YOU CAN'T SAY THAT!"

The reason is, there are a steady supply of smart-alecks who think in spite of the Consitution producing the strongest country in the history of the world, they are smart enough to improve on it.

Answer 7

Its now null and void with our new Nazi government.Freedom is all a fallacy,when they can strip you all of what you thought you had, in a blink of your eye.When the president calls the Constitution a God Damn Piece of Paper.

Answer 8

I think it does. By why did we start this country on capitalism and free business, but yet we have affirmative action?

Answer 9

Agreed, many laws restricting free speech should be repealed. Which party do you think is more likely to do this?

Answer 10

We do not have censorship. Has anyone knocked on your door lately, NO