Freedom of Speech

Research papers on the freedom of speech touch several types of subject matters beyond political science courses. Paper Masters can incorporate research from several disciplines and produce a custom research paper on the First Amendment. You may also use the information on this website to help you get started on your research paper concerning the freedom of speech.

Freedom of speech is the right to express one's opinions and ideas without fear of prosecution. There are, of course, limits to freedom of speech, including the following:

• Obscenity
• Slander
• Libel
• Sedition

In the United States, freedom of speech is enshrined in Article 1 of the Bill of Rights.

Freedom of Speech - The Idea

According to The American Civil Liberties Union, the idea of freedom of speech predates the US Bill of Rights, which was ratified in 1791. The England's 1689 Bill of Rights, which was largely influenced by John Locke, granted the freedom of speech in Parliament. During the French Revolution, the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen, adopted in 1789 provided for freedom of speech in Article 11. The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognized freedom of speech as an international human right, although specific application varies across the globe.

Freedom of Speech in Democracies

In democracies, the freedom of speech is taken to be a fundamental part of society and indispensable. In the United States, organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union work to preserve the freedom of speech, even defending the free speech rights of groups that express bigotry or hatred. The right of self-expression is far greater than the specific message, and therefore even the most hate-filled ranting must be protected, as long as it does not violate the rights of others. Many have hailed the Internet as the next great free speech enhancing medium.