Freedom of speech

Freedom of speech
It is guaranteed under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution (part of the Bill of Rights). The restriction of this right is characteristic of totalitarian regimes.

Built on a series of legal doctrines developed by the courts, the central purpose of the liberty is the protection of political speech, above all else.

When, however, speech constitutes incitement to "imminent lawless action," it may be prohibited and prosecuted. Moreover, defamation of living individuals may be cause for a civil lawsuit and, in the very rare instance, even criminal prosecution.

Necessarily, restraints must be "read into" the Amendment. Therefore, speech may be restricted as to "time, place, and manner." After all, no matter what pressing cause some asshole wants to communicate to you, she can't do it driving through your neighborhood at 3 a.m. with a bullhorn.

The "content-neutral" doctrine stands for the principle that the government can regulate speech, within reason, so long as it does not take a side in an intellectual debate - that is, so long as it does not take a position as to content. - Rational Wiki /Freedom_of_speech