What do you think Freedom of Speech actually means?

For me it is the freedom to challenge authority, orthodoxy, or accepted wisdom. It is the means by which societies evolve and renew themselves, and individuals find expression for their thoughts and creativity.

It is a privilege as much as a right. Individual freedom of speech much be balanced against the rights of others and wielding it does not absolve you from social responsibilities as some people may think.

Actual Freedom of speech is about being about to voice your opinion about political leaders in public without fear of death or imprisonment.

The MAGAt crowd would have you believe that it is about abusing people in public without consequences from the people you are abusing.

Freedom to express whatever ideas or opinions are on one's mind without being censored or otherwise reprimanded just for doing so (with exception of calling for violence or causing unrest). It's one of the most important, if not [i]the[/i] most important civil liberties one can have.

Freedom of speech has been tested in court many times through the years. In the 1960s a man was arrested on obscenities charges for wearing a jacket that had Fuck the draft on the back. The court ruled the man's intention was not sexual but rather an expression about the draft and threw the case out.

One thing it [b]doesn’t[/b] mean is book banning or preventing history classes from being taught because they make individuals "uncomfortable". Parents absolutely have the right to determine what their minor children read or learn. But they [b]don’t[/b] have the right to decide for other parents. When I was in school there were certain books in the school library that you couldn’t read unless you had a parent’s note or the librarian had spoken to them. I was able to check out James Baldwin and Catcher In the Rye because my folks okay’d it. Today parents just demand books be arbitrarily pulled so that nobody’s children can read them.

It means the government cannot stomp on you for mere speech. Nothing more, nothing less

In reality it doesn't always happen. Especially if you speak against the narrative

It most certainly doesn't apply to private areas. Nor does it guarantee you a platform. Nor shield you from consequences of your speech

(Embarassing when fools come here and demand a freedom of speech)

The government cannot pass any law preventing you from speaking your mind, however you can still face social backlash, and any corrective actions for violating the terms of any private corporation with your speech.

It goes well beyond just saying what you want to say, within the confines of the law, without fear of retribution. Airing a commercial on TV, contributing money to a political candidate and even the right to not "speak," like not taking part in the Pledge of Allegiance, all fall under Free Speech. But I think it's a phrase that has been perverted. Many use it now just as a way of hiding behind abhorrent, ignorant or untruthful views when they're called out for them.

Technically, say what you want in the appropriate place and in the appropriate manner... Of course, this is overlaid with social constraints on what is appropriate

The ability to speak in public without any detrimental effect from the government. Same with writing. Since writing is just speech written down.

In America it is defined as what is allowed by government. It does not protect private speech.

pay more for less for cost of living so the government and everyone else in power can do fuck all and still buy fancy cars and houses :D

It means you're free to say whatever you want. It doesn't mean there won't be consequences.

I'm afraid I'm with the Conservatives here on this one- literally that without consequences FROM THE GOVERNMENT.

Only time it should be prohibited is if it literally incites violence or verbal abuse, etc.

It is as important as the right to vote and makes the West the West.

i like freedom to not speak. you speak your truth and people hate you for it so why speak?

With limitations. I think what our forefathers envisioned has been stretched beyond my belief. Such as the burning of our flag being protected speech.

It means both the freedom and responsibility to speak your mind. The responsibility part is that if you tell a lie to unjustly harm another there may be a penalty to pay.

Don’t offend anyone

being free to say what you want as long as your not harming anyone or threatening anyone.

It means responsibility. You're entitled to your opinions, so choose wisely.

Man is free of thought and so can say what he likes.....but everything has a consequence.

The antithesis to Political Correctness.

Saying whatever you want.

To challenge the one in power

I like raisins!

The right to speak without government censorship.

The right to say or write whatever is on your mind. The problem with absolute free speech is that it always ends up encroaching on someone else's rights.

It doesn't mean anything. Freedom of Speech is an oxymoron at best. This is because Freedom of Speech doesn't categorically exist in any society nor can it be allowed to exist. It is the tempered restriction of speech that keeps even the most advanced, most educated societies functioning in a civilized manner through checks and balances we place on public speech which we impose on each other, of which further defines the boundaries of what creates a civilized society in the first place.

The civil right to criticize and speak out against the government without fear of retaliation, it does not give us the right to say what we want willy nilly.