What is not covered by the First Amendment?
Categories of speech that are given lesser or no protection by the First Amendment (and therefore may be restricted) include obscenity, fraud, child pornography, speech integral to illegal conduct, speech that incites imminent lawless action, speech that violates intellectual property law, true threats, and commercial …
What does freedom of speech apply to?
The First Amendment only protects your speech from government censorship. It applies to federal, state, and local government actors. This is a broad category that includes not only lawmakers and elected officials, but also public schools and universities, courts, and police officers.
Do we have freedom of speech on the Internet?
Ruling unanimously in Reno v. ACLU, the Court declared the Internet to be a free speech zone, deserving of at least as much First Amendment protection as that afforded to books, newspapers and magazines.
Does the government have the right to restrict indecent material on the Internet?
Finally, the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), enacted in 2000, requires schools and libraries that accept federal funds to purchase computers or Internet access to block or filter obscenity, child pornography, and, with respect to minors, material that is “harmful to minors.” Filters may be disabled, however.
Is obscenity a crime?
Obscenity is not protected under First Amendment rights to free speech, and violations of federal obscenity laws are criminal offenses. The U.S. courts use a three-pronged test, commonly referred to as the Miller test, to determine if given material is obscene.
How is indecent material determined?
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) defines indecent speech as material that, in context, depicts or describes sexual or excretory organs or activities in terms patently offensive as measured by contemporary community standards for the broadcast medium.
What is the difference between obscenity and indecency?
– Obscenity: This category is so offensive that is deserves and receives no First Amendment protection. It can be regulated or outlawed at the will of the states. – Indecency: This category is “less offensive” than obscenity. e.g., to protect children from indecent images, etc.
How does the court distinguish between indecent and obscene?
Indecent content portrays sexual or excretory organs or activities in a way that is patently offensive but does not meet the three-prong test for obscenity. Profane content includes “grossly offensive” language that is considered a public nuisance.
What is obscene communication?
any comment, request, suggestion, proposal, image, or other communication which is obscene or child pornography, with intent to abuse, threaten, or harass another person; (B) by means of a telecommunications device knowingly— (i) makes, creates, or solicits, and.