3 in 1 Topics For Free Speech

Freedom of Speech, Press, Religion and Petition - Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

The following decisions represent very important rulings of Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States. (For finding similar topics for free speech in other countries, e.g. the Supreme Court of Canada, Supreme Court of India or Pakistan, take their significant decisions of course.) You can use rulings for persuasive or informative public speaking speech topics on freedom of speech in 3 ways:

1. Proof cases in a persuasive outline.
2. To inform your audience about great judical and legal developments.
3. To write a general speech about what is protected by the First Amendement and what action(s) not.
   
   

I. Pornography: What is protected?

1. Ginsberg v. New York. The state may restrain access for children to sexually explicit information even if it's not morality indecent or illegal for adults.
2. Miller v. California. Communities are allowed to determine and settle what is obscene or inappropriate.
3. New York v. Ferber. Child pornography is not protected by the First Amendment and the government has the power to ban it.

1. Hustler Magazine v. Falwell. Obvious humorous or satirical imitation of a serious public figure like a politician is not hate speech.
2. Petitioner R.A.V. v. City of St. Paul, Minnesota. Obscenity, false or unjustified injury of the someone's good reputation,slander and libel can not be restricted when motivated by a hostile opinion.
3. Snyder v Phelps. Protesting and picketing on sidewalks about a society issue is allowed, even if it causes emotional distress for bystanders.

1. NY Times v. Sullivan. Newspapers can't be sued for libel or slander about false statements if they are not made with disregarding the truth.
2. Island Trees School District v. Pico. High school boards may not remove library books they don't like.
3. Hazelwood School Dist. v. Kuhlmeier. Schools may control and manage speech texts (topics for free speech) that represent the school's character or mission statement if the action has an educational purpose.