Free Speech

Case - 310 U.S. 88

Parties: Thornhill v. Ala.

Date: 1940-04-22

Identifiers:

Opinions:

Segment Sets:

Paragraph: 6 - The safeguarding of these rights to the ends that men may speak as they think on matters vital to them and that falsehoods may be exposed through the processes of education and discussion is essential to free government. Those who won our independence had confidence in the power of free and fearless reasoning and communication of ideas to discover and spread political and economic truth. Noxious doctrines in those fields may be refuted and their evil averted by the courageous exercise of the right of free discussion. Abridgment of freedom of speech and of the press, however, impairs those opportunities for public education that are essential to effective exercise of the power of correcting error through the processes of popular government.

Notes:

Preferred Terms:

  • (is) freedom of thought
  • (why is) speech

Phrase match: of freedom of speech and of

Source: http://freespeech.iath.virginia.edu/exist-speech/cocoon/freespeech/FOS_newSTerms_One?doc=/db/fos_all/federal/SC/1940s/19400422.310.US.88.xml&keyword1=freedom of&wordsBefore=1&wordsAfter=3#m1

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Paragraph: 9 - The power of the licensor against which John Milton directed his assault by his 'Appeal for the Liberty of Unlicensed Printing' is pernicious not merely by reason of the censure of particular comments but by reason of the threat to censure comments on matters of public concern. It is not merely the sporadic abuse of power by the censor but the pervasive threat inherent in its very existence that constitutes the danger to freedom of discussion. See Near

Notes:

Preferred Terms:

  • (is) publishing without a license

Phrase match: to freedom of discussion. See Near

Source: http://freespeech.iath.virginia.edu/exist-speech/cocoon/freespeech/FOS_newSTerms_One?doc=/db/fos_all/federal/SC/1940s/19400422.310.US.88.xml&keyword1=freedom of&wordsBefore=1&wordsAfter=3#m1

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Paragraph: 12 - We think that Section 3448 is invalid on its face. The freedom of speech and of the press guaranteed by the Constitution embraces at the least the liberty to discuss publicly and truthfully all matters of public concern without previous restraint or fear of subsequent punishment.

Notes:

Preferred Terms:

  • (is) press
  • (is) pubishing without a license

Phrase match: The freedom of speech and of

Source: http://freespeech.iath.virginia.edu/exist-speech/cocoon/freespeech/FOS_newSTerms_One?doc=/db/fos_all/federal/SC/1940s/19400422.310.US.88.xml&keyword1=freedom of&wordsBefore=1&wordsAfter=3#m1

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Paragraph: 12 - . Freedom of discussion, if it would fulfill its historic function in this nation, must embrace all issues about which information is needed or appropriate to enable the members of society to cope with the exigencies of their period.

Notes:

Preferred Terms:

  • (is) discussion

Phrase match: . Freedom of discussion, if it

Source: http://freespeech.iath.virginia.edu/exist-speech/cocoon/freespeech/FOS_newSTerms_One?doc=/db/fos_all/federal/SC/1940s/19400422.310.US.88.xml&keyword1=freedom of&wordsBefore=1&wordsAfter=3#m1

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Paragraph: 14 - In the circumstances of our times the dissemination of information concerning the facts of a labor dispute must be regarded as within that area of free discussion that is guaranteed by the Constitution. Hague v. C.I.O., 307 U.S. 496, 59 S.Ct. 954, 83 L.Ed. 1423; Schneider v. State, 308 U.S. 147, 155, 162, 163, 60 S.Ct. 146, 151, 84 L.Ed. 155. See Senn v. Tile Layers Union, 301 U.S. 468, 478, 57 S.Ct. 857, 862, 81 L.Ed. 1229. It is recognized now that satisfactory hours and wages and working conditions in industry and a bargaining position which makes these possible have an importance which is not less than the interests of those in the business or industry directly concerned. The health of the present generation and of those as yet unborn may depend on these matters, and the practices in a single factory may have economic repercussions upon a whole region and affect widespread systems of marketing. The merest glance at State and Federal legislation on the subject demonstrates the force of the argument that labor relations are not matters of mere local or private concern. Free discussion concerning the conditions in industry and the causes of labor disputes appears to us indispensable to the effective and intelligent use of the processes of popular government to shape the destiny of modern industrial society. The issues raised by regulations, such as are challenged here, infringing upon the right of employees effectively to inform the public of the facts of a labor dispute are part of this larger problem. We concur in the observation of Mr. Justice Brandeis, speaking for the Court in Senn's case (301 U.S. at page 478, '57 S.Ct. at page 862, 81 L.Ed. 1229): N3* 'Members of a union might, without special statutory authorization by a state, make known the facts of a labor dispute, for freedom of speech is guaranteed by the Federal Constitution.'

Notes:

  • N3* / quote / endorsement / /

Preferred Terms:

  • (is) discussion
  • (is) dissemination of information (about labor disputes)
  • (is) informing the public

Phrase match: for freedom of speech is guaranteed

Source: http://freespeech.iath.virginia.edu/exist-speech/cocoon/freespeech/FOS_newSTerms_One?doc=/db/fos_all/federal/SC/1940s/19400422.310.US.88.xml&keyword1=freedom of&wordsBefore=1&wordsAfter=3#m1

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Paragraph: 16 - We hold that the danger of injury to an industrial concern is neither so serious nor so imminent as to justify the sweeping proscription of freedom of discussion embodied in Section 3448.

Notes:

Preferred Terms:

  • (is) discussion
  • (is) publicizing the facts of a labor dispute

Phrase match: of freedom of discussion embodied in

Source: http://freespeech.iath.virginia.edu/exist-speech/cocoon/freespeech/FOS_newSTerms_One?doc=/db/fos_all/federal/SC/1940s/19400422.310.US.88.xml&keyword1=freedom of&wordsBefore=1&wordsAfter=3#m1

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Paragraph: 6 - Noxious doctrines in those fields may be refuted and their evil averted by the courageous exercise of the right of free discussion. Abridgment of freedom of speech and of the press, however, impairs those opportunities for public education that are essential to effective exercise of the power of correcting error through the processes of popular government.

Notes:

Preferred Terms:

  • (why is) speech

Phrase match: the right of free discussion. Abridgment

Source: http://freespeech.iath.virginia.edu/exist-speech/cocoon/freespeech/FOS_newSTerms_One?doc=/db/fos_all/federal/SC/1940s/19400422.310.US.88.xml&keyword1=right of&wordsBefore=1&wordsAfter=3#m1

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Paragraph: 14 - The issues raised by regulations, such as are challenged here, infringing upon the right of employees effectively to inform the public of the facts of a labor dispute are part of this larger problem. We concur in the observation of Mr. Justice Brandeis, speaking for the Court in Senn's case (301 U.S. at page 478, '57 S.Ct. at page 862, 81 L.Ed. 1229): N10* 'Members of a union might, without special statutory authorization by a state, make known the facts of a labor dispute, for freedom of speech is guaranteed by the Federal Constitution.'

Notes:

  • N10* / quote / endorsement / Q0196 /

Preferred Terms:

  • (is) informing the public about labor disputes

Phrase match: the right of employees effectively to

Source: http://freespeech.iath.virginia.edu/exist-speech/cocoon/freespeech/FOS_newSTerms_One?doc=/db/fos_all/federal/SC/1940s/19400422.310.US.88.xml&keyword1=right of&wordsBefore=1&wordsAfter=3#m1

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Paragraph: 17 - But no clear and present danger of destruction of life or property, or invasion of the right of privacy, or breach of the peace can be thought to be inherent in the activities of every person who approaches the premises of an employer and publicizes the facts of a labor dispute involving the latter. We are not now concerned with picketing en masse or otherwise conducted which might occasion such imminent and aggravated danger to these interests as to justify a statute narrowly drawn to cover the precise situation giving rise to the danger.

Notes:

Preferred Terms:

  • (is) publicizing the facts of a labor dispute

Phrase match: the right of privacy, or breach

Source: http://freespeech.iath.virginia.edu/exist-speech/cocoon/freespeech/FOS_newSTerms_One?doc=/db/fos_all/federal/SC/1940s/19400422.310.US.88.xml&keyword1=right of&wordsBefore=1&wordsAfter=3#m1

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Paragraph: 15 - It does not follow that the State in dealing with the evils arising from industrial disputes may impair the effective exercise of the right to discuss freely industrial relations which are matters of public concern. A contrary conclusion could be used to support abridgment of freedom of speech and of the press concerning almost every matter of importance to society.

Notes:

Preferred Terms:

  • (is) discussing public issues

Phrase match: the right to discuss freely industrial

Source: http://freespeech.iath.virginia.edu/exist-speech/cocoon/freespeech/FOS_newSTerms_One?doc=/db/fos_all/federal/SC/1940s/19400422.310.US.88.xml&keyword1=right to&wordsBefore=1&wordsAfter=3#m1

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Paragraph: 12 - The freedom of speech and of the press guaranteed by the Constitution embraces at the least the liberty to discuss publicly and truthfully all matters of public concern without previous restraint or fear of subsequent punishment.

Notes:

Preferred Terms:

  • (is) discussing public issues

Phrase match: freedom of speech and of the

Source: http://freespeech.iath.virginia.edu/exist-speech/cocoon/freespeech/FOS_newSTerms_One?doc=/db/fos_all/federal/SC/1940s/19400422.310.US.88.xml&keyword1=speech&wordsBefore=2&wordsAfter=3#m1

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Paragraph: 14 - In the circumstances of our times the dissemination of information concerning the facts of a labor dispute must be regarded as within that area of free discussion that is guaranteed by the Constitution. Hague v. C.I.O., 307 U.S. 496, 59 S.Ct. 954, 83 L.Ed. 1423; Schneider v. State, 308 U.S. 147, 155, 162, 163, 60 S.Ct. 146, 151, 84 L.Ed. 155. See Senn v. Tile Layers Union, 301 U.S. 468, 478, 57 S.Ct. 857, 862, 81 L.Ed. 1229. It is recognized now that satisfactory hours and wages and working conditions in industry and a bargaining position which makes these possible have an importance which is not less than the interests of those in the business or industry directly concerned. The health of the present generation and of those as yet unborn may depend on these matters, and the practices in a single factory may have economic repercussions upon a whole region and affect widespread systems of marketing. The merest glance at State and Federal legislation on the subject demonstrates the force of the argument that labor relations are not matters of mere local or private concern. Free discussion concerning the conditions in industry and the causes of labor disputes appears to us indispensable to the effective and intelligent use of the processes of popular government to shape the destiny of modern industrial society. The issues raised by regulations, such as are challenged here, infringing upon the right of employees effectively to inform the public of the facts of a labor dispute are part of this larger problem. We concur in the observation of Mr. Justice Brandeis, speaking for the Court in Senn's case (301 U.S. at page 478, '57 S.Ct. at page 862, 81 L.Ed. 1229): 'Members of a union might, without special statutory authorization by a state, make known the facts of a labor dispute, for freedom of speech is guaranteed by the Federal Constitution.'

Notes:

Preferred Terms:

  • (is) dissemination of facts or information about labor disputes
  • (is) free discussion

Phrase match: freedom of speech is guaranteed by

Source: http://freespeech.iath.virginia.edu/exist-speech/cocoon/freespeech/FOS_newSTerms_One?doc=/db/fos_all/federal/SC/1940s/19400422.310.US.88.xml&keyword1=speech&wordsBefore=2&wordsAfter=3#m1

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