Intellectual Property Law

Must-Read: Adam Liptak on U.S. Free Speech

By Cynthia Brumfield

The great New York Times writer Adam Liptak has this excellent essay, part of a new NYT series that examines unique aspects of America, that examines how the strong First Amendment right to free speech in this country sets the U.S. apart from the rest of the world.

Even in Canada, the law permits government to proscribe speech based on social values as evidenced by a recent case brought against Maclean's magazine for publishing "hate speech." Although Liptak's article contains no real news, it does underscore how ingrained free speech is in the American culture and legal system.

Jeff Jarvis says the Internet can spread this form of American "exceptionalism."

So we can treat the First Amendment and the moral of speech as exceptionalism, because it has been. Or we can recognize that the internet offers the openness of speech to anyone anywhere, though not without risk, and we who have this privilege can make it our mission to educate others about the inevitability and benefits of free speech.

Full post as published by IP Democracy on June 12, 2008 (boomark / email).