Isn't Imus entitled to freedom of speech as a U.S. citizen?

Question

I was wondering if there was any clauses in the freedom to speech right

Answer 1

So, Imus, an idiot who for years has offended everyone, is now in a pit of boiling tar for his stupid comment. Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton are grilling him and throwing a fit.

How come the two Rev's don't have the same distain for the Rap "artists"? This music is loaded with slurs, advocates violence upon women, celebrates drug use and criminal activity.

Wouldn't it seem that if the Rev's really cared about the community and wanted to end the inner city plight, they would go after the medium that has a wide audience and not worry about what a has been DJ is spewing?

Answer 2

Of course he is. Don can say anything he wants, and the government can't punish him for his sentiments.

Broadcasting on the airwaves had certain rules, regarding obscenity and content, but he didn't violate those and the government didn't stop him

Does he have an unalienable right to have a radio and TV talk show, to be financially supported by private entities no matter what he says? Does he have a right to force corporate sponsors to financially support his show against their wishes?

No. PRIVATE companies made a market decision to pull him. PRIVATE sponsors pulled their support.

Anyone can say what they want without fear of government incarceration (or, at least they used to be able to) - just as others have a right to express how they feel, and to make economic choices in response.

I thought right-wingers believed in their all-hallowed "market decides" doctrine? I thought the right was all about "personal responsibility" and accountability?

If Imus wants to stand on his porch, or on a street corner and make declarations about the Rutgers women's basketball team, he's entitled, and the government has not tried to take that away.

Some of you people need an education of what the right to free expression actually is.

Answer 3

He has the freedom to say what he wants. The freedom of speech guarantees within the Constitution are meant to protect you from the government. So far as I know Imus has not been arrested or sanctioned in any way by a government agency.

Your exercise of free speech is protected against government sanction however private individuals and companies have the right to their freedom of speech and freedom of association. If they choose not to associate or employ you because of what you said then they have that right.

Only a government agency is forbidden to censor speech, private employers are free to conduct business as they so choose.

Answer 4

Why do such assorted of you sense that he replaced into denied his freedom of speech. The FCC is a federally operated business enterprise we as tax payers have a ideal to whinge to.because of the fact of this it is not a freedom of speech concern. enable me provide you a assessment: A family contributors of 5 (mom and four toddlers) gets federal suggestions and he or she abuses that very suggestions that we as tax payers have adequate money her, could the government after it gets assorted lawsuits not positioned tension on the social provider place of work in her city to look at and terminate any help that taxpayers are affording her. the smart answer is constrained. that's what CBS and Ms-NBC did the spoke back to the strain of sponsors, picketers and extremely possibly the FCC. the only venue that Jesse and Al have is that given them by using The very entities spoken of earlier among others. You adult adult males consistently choose to characteristic those 2 to the plight of all black human beings. They weren't elected as "Black united statesa.'s" president and vice-president. while you're/have been ever indignant by using statements that they made consistent with probability you are able to detect a media talk board that addresses you plight. till then won't be able to we end pointing palms and handle the topics as a collective and cohesive unit? From what i'm examining from a number of your comments that question is previous your comprehension so which you will dismiss.

Answer 5

"Freedom of Speech" is freedom of having your speech surpressed by the government.

Although I do not agree with the decision CBS however is well within their right to fire Imus.

If there was total freedom of speech it would be utter chaos.

If there was total freedom of speech you could call your boss every name in the book and get away with it, but that is not what the 1st Amendment Protects. It protects speech from being surpressed by the government.

Answer 6

Imus can say whatever he wants, whenever he wants.

CBS radio is under no legal obligation to broadcast his words, however, or to continue to allow him to represent them or Disney.

MSNBC is under no obligation to simulcast his show, or to allow him to represent them.

I don't remember Imus being arrested or imprisoned for his words. You can't make somebody pay him for those comments or to represent their company with those words.

Imagine Nabisco hires an ad company to promote Oreo cookies. That commercial features a man using a racial slur. Does Nabisco have a legal obligation to be represented by this ad agency, this actor, and this slur? The answer is obviously no.

Answer 7

the government did not restrict imus freedom of speech. society did.

Answer 8

Yes even as*holes have the right to free speech.I can hardly wait till the freedom loving ACLU will jump in to protect Imus right to free speech.This should be a good one- lets count the days???????????????????

Answer 9

sure, but freedom of speech only says that you can say what you want, but it does not protect you from the consequences of what you say. I can run down the halls of my work place screaming obsenities and racial slurs, but I will most likely be canned.

Answer 10

Legal rights guaranteed in the Constitution only keep you out of jail. If you say offensive things, you won't be arrested but those who you offend will make sure you pay the price for your callousness.