In Gertz v. Robert Welch (1974), the Supreme Court opinion wrote that there is a "social interest in order and morality" in prev
enting false speech. Protecting false speech constitutionally may damage this order and morality. A false statement damages both the subject of the falsehood and the listener who hears the false statement. By constitutionally protecting these statements, we protect a person's ability to create disorder. The justice argues that protecting false speech may protect morality. prevent disorder. damage order in society. harm listeners to speech.
