Changes

Originally, “speech” would not have included as much as it does today.  Over the years, the [[Supreme Court]] has expanded what is protected as speech under the [[First Amendment]].

Originally, “speech” would not have included as much as it does today.  Over the years, the [[Supreme Court]] has expanded what is protected as speech under the [[First Amendment]].

Now speech includes, for example, the burning of the American flag.  It includes spending money on political campaigns.  It can include vulgar or obscene words.  It offers some protection even to commercial speech, such as certain advertisements.

Now speech includes, for example, the burning of the American flag ([[Texas v. Johnson]]).  It includes spending money on political campaigns.  It can include vulgar or obscene words.  It offers some protection even to commercial speech, such as certain advertisements.

When something qualifies as “free speech,” the protection against regulation of its content is nearly absolute.  Only a compelling interest by the government can justify infringing on such speech, and the regulation must be narrowly tailored for a necessary goal.

When something qualifies as “free speech,” the protection against regulation of its content is nearly absolute.  Only a compelling interest by the government can justify infringing on such speech, and the regulation must be narrowly tailored for a necessary goal.