The American Debate Regarding Censorship Of Hate Speech

The American debate regarding censorship of hate speech is moving from traditional forms to newer ones found online. In particular, the internet has become a key organizing tool for hate groups. There is a large growing group of Internet members who can access the Internet and can have the opportunity to express an opinion about anything to compose their thoughts to the World Wide Web audience. The Internet allows freedom of expression without any limitations or regulation. Some viewers find the resultant of speech to be exciting and other viewers see speech over the Internet to be insulting, degrading, and offensive. Often when people are interacting on social media they cross over the line. Frequently one person’s right to free†¦show more content†¦It gave me background information on what restrictions are included in the Amendment. I found that false statements of fact, fighting words, and threats are not protected from government restrictions. According to Fisher, â€Å"any communication over the Internet containing any threat to kidnap any person or any threat to injure the person of another is not protected in the Constitution and it is a crime.† In other words, speech that is crudely expressed or inappropriate without the regard to the speaker’s intended meanings is not protected in the First Amendment. He argues that government actions need to take place when threats and violence are inflicted in communication. I agree with Fisher. When people use explicit and cruel words when communicating on social media restrictions need to happen. Attacking someone with words certainly implicates the Constitution. When one person’s right to free expression leads to another person’s safety being jeopardized we need the government to sometimes decide on what few instances freedom of expression must be limited, even if only temporarily in order to save lives and keep people safe. If no restrictions are placed on people who abuse this freedom people’s lives can be at risk. For instance, Fisher wrote about a case known as the â€Å"Jake Baker†case. Baker was an