Free Speech on the Internet

1. Free Speech on the Internet

2. Information on My Topic • Freedom of Speech on the internet is interpreted in many different ways. • The First Amendment does not say anything about freedom of speech on the internet, so it is a very controversial subject • Governments all over the world including democracies are becoming stricter with what they allow people to say on the internet • Many people are questioning whether their rights are protected on the internet. • There have been hundreds of cases on this subject, and there are only more to come.

3. Proposed Law I propose that a law be made which says. “The First Amendment protects citizens’ rights even on the internet as long as no lives are in danger and they are not threatening."

4. Common Good Individual Rights • Individuals cannot be punished in any way for expressing their opinion online. • Citizens receive the same right on the internet as they receive any other time. • Everyone can speech freely as long as they are not threatening or endangering others. • If someone threatens someone online, they will be punished and the victim will be protected. • The government cannot strip the common good of their right of freedom of speech even on the internet. • The First Amendment will be interpreted differently and people will be protected better now that this law is in place.

5. Layshock v. Hermitage School District • The Layshock school district punished a student for creating a fake profile of his principal. • The Court ruled that the school district violated First Amendment and they cannot punish the student because his speech reached inside the high school. • School districts are not allowed to punish students for outside of school internet activity unless it is threatening or a special case. • My law relates to this because it protects everyone on the internet as long as they are not putting anyone else in danger, the student cannot be punished.

6. Daniel Ray Carter Jr. v. Roberts • Daniel Ray Carter Jr. liked his bosses opponent’s Facebook page, and was fired. • The Supreme Court ruled that it is Carter’s constitutional right to his opinion. • It is a violation of the First Amendment for a company to fire an employee just because they liked something on Facebook. • My law is related to this case because Carter was not endangering his boss or offending him in any way, so his free speech is still protected.

7. “Necessary Price of Speech” • Adrian Smith was stripped of his managerial rights and almost half of his salary. • He wrote on Facebook that he thought same-sex weddings were “an equality too far” • High Court in London ruled that the 55 year old had done nothing wrong, and that the First Amendment lets people speak their mind even if others are offended. • This relates to my law because No one can be punished for commenting on Facebook even if what they say is offensive to others.

8. Ex-Kuwaiti lawmakers sentenced to prison • A Kuwaiti court sentenced 3 former members of Parliament to 3 years in prison with hard labor • The charges they are facing are from insulting the nation’s ruler on Twitter • More than 300 people are currently detained for insulting the leader • Citizens can criticize government officials on the internet being punished.

9. Thank You!