Ok im not an american and when i watch those american programs americans have the freedom to say whatever they want and not get sued by anyone...but in my country,blurting out any kinds of so-called offensive speech against the government or any of the officials you'll get sued and even jailed..is it true Americans can really say what they desire?
2007-08-03 04:39:52 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Entertainment & Music ➔ Polls & Surveys
Of course...notice how Michael Moore is still a free man!
2007-08-03 04:42:54 · answer #1 · answered by bradxschuman 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are limits of course. You cannot go and spread lies about other people. You cannot use freedom of speech to protect you in the infamous "yelling fire in a crowed theater" scenario. You cannot use certain types of language that is considered to be profane in public.
However, you can definately say offensive speech about the government if you want. There are some government officials who will try to ignore your right and punish you but those are pretty rare. Also, our courts do a pretty good job of reversing situations like that.
Remember though, other people around you have a freedom of speech. If they do not agree with you then they can disagree with you. Freedom of speech does not mean the people hearing the speech have to sit there listen. Another thing, is that the government is prohibited from denying you freedom of speech. That does not mean they are required to provide you with an outlet to do it with. Also, that does not mean that you can force your freedom of speech on others. Yahoo has rules on here that prohibit certain types of speech that the government is not allowed to prohibt. That is because Yahoo has a freedom of speech as well.
Something else to remember, an American has to be civil in the speech. If a person went to the post office and started yelling and screaming at the employees there for giving bad service, the police will be called. Not because the person was criticizing the post office but because the person was creating a disturbance.
Like I said, there are times when this right is trampled upon by people in the government. The American Civil Liberties Union is a nonprofit organization that helps people fight in court to protect their rights. At their website you can find more information about freedom of speech in the US and cases that they have going.
http://www.aclu.org/
2007-08-03 04:52:12 · answer #2 · answered by A.Mercer 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Despite your sarcasm, I have to retort with the fact that America actually has very few restrictions on these basic rights. The last 20 years have been bad for our liberties, but you would be surprised at the things you can not say in Europe, the places you cannot own a firearm. the places you cannot practice your religion freely, or what religion you choose to practice. Most of their laws are reasonable when restricting these rights, but they are restricted a lot compared to us. And it's just not the case here. Why do you hate this country so much Ted. All you do is *****, constantly.
2016-05-17 07:44:46 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pretty much - unless it is slander or libel (lies) and even that is permitted to a certain extent. That is a matter for the courts though and you will get sued if you lie about others. Not go to jail. What country are you from?
Good Luck!!!
2007-08-03 04:44:32 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes we have freedom of speech. The problem is that if we say something that someone don't like or they consider it offensive then we get in trouble.
2007-08-03 04:48:37 · answer #5 · answered by happyme19672003 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yup we can, unless your on the radio and use ur positions to offend people in which case you will loose ur job and then get a satilite radio deal, but other than that feel free to say what ever your lil heart disires, haha this reminds me of a question someone asked if you had to be married to stay at a hotel in the U.S and i was like dude we have hotels where u can pay by the HOUR! u just estimate how good u are in bed and then pay for 2 or 3 hours or so
2007-08-03 04:45:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
In my opinion, I don't think the US has much for freedom of speech. Because if they did, maybe the president would listen more often to his people. And I'm sure somewhere, if some one makes some discriminating comments about the governement and CIA (or some other undercover agency) would be sent out to beat the crap out them!
2007-08-03 04:45:08 · answer #7 · answered by Kris 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, there is plenty of censorship even in the United States. Most particularly, you can often get in trouble for racist or sexist hate speech. And of course, patents and copyrights are still in place in the United States, which also prevent you from saying certain things.
2007-08-03 04:44:28 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No... We can say what we want, as long as it's not treason, slander, libel, or any other thing that could possibly endanger, harm, offend, or in some other negative way affect somebody else.
We've never had complete freedom, except before there was government.
2007-08-03 04:43:33 · answer #9 · answered by dark is rising 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well we do have freedom of speech. of course there are certain things like yelling "fire" when there isn't one that can get a person in trouble.
hate speech is frowned upon especially if it is someone in the public eye(politicians, media, etc)
2007-08-03 04:44:25 · answer #10 · answered by Jenn 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, that is true.
We love our freedom of speech!
2007-08-05 11:54:44 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋