NextPrevious

The Bill of Rights and the 14th Amendment

First Amendment

Does the First Amendment protect all forms of free speech?

No, the First Amendment does not protect all forms of speech even though the text of the amendment provides that “Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech.” The First Amendment does not protect many forms of speech. Some examples include obscenity, child pornography, incitement to imminent lawless action, perjury, true threats, libel, and solicitation to commit murder.



What is obscentity and pornography, and what is art? Should the First Amendment protect all forms of speech? (iStock)