Tuesday, August 22, 2017

Hartmann on the limits to free speech

One cannot just say or do anything and call it free speech. There are legal limits that Hartmann explores in this clip starting around 4:10. Examples include obscenity, fighting words, defamation (libel and slander), child pornography, perjury, blackmail, incitement to unlawful action, true threats, solicitation to commit crime, treason and plagiarism. All have in common that they harm someone or a group.  The demonstrating Nazis and racists display a number of those prohibitions--like fighting words, true threats, defamation, incitement to violence--and are not protected by free speech. It is the law.

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