Question

You just saw that free speech was limited to protect the country during war time. What other limits do you think should be placed on free speech? Limiting hate speech Stopping protests Banning criticism of the president Limiting what can be published and written Limiting profanity or obscene speech Banning questionable books Encouraging people to commit acts of violence No limits

Answer 1

The correct answers are A) limiting hate speech and E) Limiting profanity or obscene speech.

The other limits should be placed on free speech are limiting hate speech and limiting profanity or obscene speech.

The Government used to limit freedom of speech during the war in the past in order to have better control of the situation, avoiding espionage, and internal rebellions. It was understandable at that time. But now, freedom of speech cannot be limited and the government has not even tried to control. There are many newspapers, media broadcasting system and internet sites that report everything. What it would be important to do in times of crisis is not limiting freedom of speech or freedom of the press, but just limit the hate speech or profanity speech that only hurt people and the nation.

Answer 2

Limitations on free speech during times of conflict raises different types of constitutional issues. The Supreme Court has ruled in Schrenk v. United States (1919) that in times of war free expression can be curtailed. This has largely been true in every military conflict from the Revolutionary War to the present. The government has broad powers to restrict hate speech, prohibit the publication of certain material, forbid aid to enemy combatants, and imprison anyone suspected of undermining government efforts to pursue the war. Protest against war are allowed under the First Amendment provisions.