Free Speech Clause

Free speech is a uniquely American doctrine that allows a citizen to say nearly anything he wants about any topic. Its basis is the Christian evangelism that characterized the American colonies in the period leading up to the American revolution. Even today the United States has the greatest freedom of speech of nearly any country in the world.

The jury acquittal of John Peter Zenger (1735) in the colony of New York played an important early role in expanding freedom of press and free speech.

It is not a free speech violation to arrest a person for shouting "Fire!" in a crowded theatre when there is no fire.

Heckling is a gray area in the ethics of free speech. To a certain extent, interrupting a public speech with question or retorts is tolerated. On the other hand, using heckling as a tactic to stop the speaker is not an expression of free speech (on the heckler's part) as much as it is a violation of the speaker's free speech rights.