is free speech the right to lie?

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-26-2003
is free speech the right to lie?
16
Sat, 10-04-2008 - 10:02am

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MGY5MDk1NTY4YTQ2ZjlhNTA3YmQxODZiMTgwZDM2MWQ=

we have free speech protection, which doesn't cover hate speech. but does it cover lies? am i free to run a political ad that lies?

because Rich Lowry's article confuses me. the way i read it, he seems to want the freedom to run ads that "swiftboat" a candidate but not the freedom for citizens to express protest against a speaker who deals the same smear tactics. so he wants the right to lie but not the right to protest the lie.

what did you take from this article?

Bea

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-07-2003
Sun, 10-05-2008 - 3:53am

This is some of the text from the link you posted:

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-09-2007
Sun, 10-05-2008 - 4:05am

I must've posted the wrong link. My apologies.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94795773

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-07-2003
Sun, 10-05-2008 - 4:35am

No apology needed. The information in the first link is fascinating. It reminds me of the Willie Horton scandal that destroyed Micheal Dukakis' presidential bid in 1988.


Here is the link and the text again for those who missed it. This is the alleged text of an attack ad put together by McCain supporters to run soon on TV or radio.


"It's tragic, but true. Two-thirds of all prisoners convicted of rape or sexual assault committed their crime against a child. Even worse, the average child predator exploits seven to two hundred victims in their lifetime. In the Illinois Senate, Barack Obama was the only member that voted to allow early release for convicted sexual abusers."


http://www.npr.org/blogs/secretmoney/




Edited 10/5/2008 4:40 am ET by wila04


Edited 10/5/2008 4:45 am ET by wila04
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-26-2003
Sun, 10-05-2008 - 7:05am

Thanks for the links! I also read these from that article:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95076174
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94640700

very interesting. it helps to know who is trying to manipulate you with fear - on both sides.

Bea

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-24-2008
Sun, 10-05-2008 - 8:09am
I like the Fact-checking website that follows
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-26-2003
Sun, 10-05-2008 - 9:35am

i would LOOOVE that!

Bea

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