free speech

Definitions

1. 1

   Freedom of speech

   Freedom of speech; the ability or right to express one's opinions, particularly (strictly) the legal right to do so without the government forbidding it via laws, but also (loosely) the ability to do so without facing social repercussions, or one's employer firing one for it, or social media sites not hosting it on their platforms, etc.

   • The most stringent protection of free speech would not protect a man in falsely shouting fire in a theater and causing a panic.
2. 2

   Speech which is protected by this right

   Speech which is protected by this right; public expression of one's opinions that is, or merits being, protected from restraint or censorship.

   • […] shouting fire-panic-in-theatre is not free speech at all. It is an explosive, deadly action.
   • Saying certain things or posting fliers or writing in student or independent newspapers is not free speech but instead is sexual harassment or racial harassment.
   • I would argue that we must be concerned with free speech but that cyber racism is not free speech, it is racist speech that provides an opportunity to devalue part of humankind ...

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