Argumentative Essay about Freedom of Speech

The Constitution states that citizens have freedom of speech, which does not mean that they can say whatever they want. Even though the idea of freedom of speech seems to be general, it does mean that you have the freedom to speak out and say whatever you want. The government should sometimes have the right to restrict free speech. For example, if someone lies under oath, that is not protected speech. People do not have the right to make speeches that pose a "clear and present danger" to society, or to make offensive speeches.  

The government should have the right to restrict what individuals say because if not lying under the oath it would be acceptable. Lying under the oath means when an individual says something he or she does not abide. That would be unacceptable, and you would get in trouble for doing that. For instance, the text states that “Lying under oath is perjury, a criminal offense” (Law for Seniors 7). When you lie, the government would be able to give you time in prison because you broke the law for doing something that is not protected under the amendment right. For example, “She went to prison for lying about her stock trading during a federal investigation” (Law for Seniors 7). Martha Stewart was convicted of making false statements while she was already being investigated. Due to her saying that the investigators questioned her stock trading and found she was doing something that was illegal and lying about it. This shows that people should not have the freedom to say whatever they wanted, and that the government should be able to restrict what people say. 

However, the government should not limit student’s freedom of speech in schools. Students should have the right to express themselves through what they wear or say. For example, “Schools have the right to ban cursing, to censor school newspapers, and to monitor books and publications brought on campus “(Law for Seniors 7). School should not have the right to ban cursing, and censor school newspapers, it limits how the students want to express themselves and that should be how the government does things. But students do not have the right to make speeches that pose "a clear and present threat" to society or make offensive statements, that is where they should draw the line. Individuals that say something that is threatening or put someone in danger like pranks that cause injuries, yelling falsely, and or swatting someone famous are prohibited and are not found in the amendment right. According to the article, it tells that “A SWAT team was dispatched and killed an innocent man who had no idea what was going on” (Law for Seniors 7). A young man called saying something was going on. So, the police went over there thinking it was something serious and an innocent person was killed. The young man thought it was a joke to say something and put someone in danger, but he ended up killing someone. This will not and should be protected under the right of freedom of speech. 

In conclusion, the government should limit people's right to say something. People are not allowed to lie when they say something or take an oath. They are also not allowed to threaten or harm people. Freedom of speech means you can express yourself, but there are still some restrictions.