A constitutional right but with some restrictions

It is only natural for you to read about Freedom of Speech Week (FSW) in a newspaper. It is a celebration of the right to free speech and takes place during the third full week of October each year. This year, that is October 19-25. It was established in 2005 by the Media Institute and the National Association of Broadcaster’s Education Foundation (FSW)

“I believe that Freedom of Speech should always be allowed and celebrated daily, but it is a good thing that there is a week dedicated to our awareness of the honor,” said Journalism adviser Ms. Lynne Herring. “However, people have to be responsible in what they say and how they say it. Speech should be uplifting, truthful and informative, never intentionally divisive or degrading.” People who want their voices to be heard can participate in this week and bring attention to the concept of Freedom of Speech. Celebrating at this particular time highlights the concept and attracts the attention of the public, the government, the news and the internet.

Practicing Freedom of Speech on this date brings awareness to others, encouraging the audience to participate and express themselves in similar ways.

Freedom of Speech, along with Freedom of the Press and Freedom of Religion are rights all Americans share. Freedom of Speech Week is a non-partisan, non-ideological event intended to be a unifying celebration, but it also acknowledges that some freedoms are limited. Libel, slander, obscenity, sedition, incitement, classified information, copyright violation, trade secrets, non-disclosure agreements, and more are restricted.

Ms. Herring recognized some of the challenges of the concept of Freedom of Speech. “Governmental restrictions on what is said and how it is said take away from our democracy,” she said. “We should not be told what to say unless our words (in print and in oral language) might cause danger to ourselves or others. The problem, though, is who determines whether some speech is more dangerous than others, and it is a challenge to make those determinations. Freedom of Speech is closely tied in to Freedom of Religion and Freedom of the Press, two causes that I am also behind 100% when they are practiced responsibly.”