Original Meaning: Freedom of Speech or of the Press
Summary: Freedom of Speech or the Press is the freedom from government officials making speech or writings they find too critical of their affairs a seditious crime. Under common law, people had to be careful of any criticism they wrote or said about government policy, laws or official conduct out of fear of being charged with a seditious crime where truth would be of no defense. Before discussing the meaning of the words “freedom of speech, or of the press” as established…