Freedom of Expression and Expressions of Freedom

Slade, David C., The World and I

One need not read far in our Bill of Rights to find the constitutional protection of our freedom of expression. Within the First Amendment is the prohibition that Congress shall make no law "abridging the freedom of speech." Indeed, freedom of speech is one of this country's cardinal freedoms, a beacon of liberty viewed with envy by more people of the world deprived of it than those who have it.

The importance of this freedom can also be seen in the number of First Amendment cases the Supreme Court will hear during its 1999 term. By the end of August the Court had agreed to hear 30 cases, an astounding one-sixth (5 of the 30) of which concern freedom of expression. One might well wonder what it is that police lists of arrested suspects, campaign contribution limits, nude dancing, "adult" television broadcasting, and student fees have in common. They are the subject matters of these five "freedom of speech" cases that the Court has agreed to take on.

Los Angeles Police Department v. United Reporting Publishing Corp. This case involves "commercial free speech." Law enforcement agencies commonly collect the names and addresses of individuals who are arrested. United Reporting Publishing has for many years sold these lists of …

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Publication information: Article title: Freedom of Expression and Expressions of Freedom. Contributors: Slade, David C. - Author. Magazine title: The World and I. Volume: 14. Issue: 11 Publication date: November 1999. Page number: 86. © 1999 News World Communications, Inc. COPYRIGHT 1999 Gale Group.

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