• _cryptagion@lemmy.dbzer0.com
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    12
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    10 hours ago

    No, freedom of speech doesn’t protect you against false statements. There’s literally a ton of other laws that penalize that, depending on the context. Purgery, slander, libel, breach of contract, just to name a few.

    • slickgoat@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      1
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      3 hours ago

      I already said that there were limitations to free speech earlier. But untruth is also protected under the US Constitution. It all relates to a possibility of harm.

      If i said that I was the Easter Bunny, it would be a lie, but who is harmed by it?

      If I falsely yell fire in a crowded theatre and people get trampled, then harm, or a risk of harm is evident.

      These are all standard arguments on free speech. But, yes, there are many carve outs where an untrue statement is protected under law. I just don’t have the time or inclination to list them all. You can check them out yourself.