By Heather Saltz
Free speech, especially pertaining to the press, has been thrust into the spotlight.
Being able to speak freely is a constitutional right given within the First Amendment, which states, in part: “Congress shall make no law… abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.”
This right permits the media to disseminate news to inform the public and permits American citizens to share personal opinions and beliefs. What is within the boundaries of the Constitution is constantly litigated and scrutinized, like speech that may be considered fighting words, commercial speech or obscenity.
Trump has singled out media sources, as well as reporters, during his presidential campaign, describing them as “terrible,” “horrible,” “unbelievable,” “illegitimate” and “scum,” according to CNN. These accusations are changing the way reporters approach the way they work.
Debora Lima, a reporter from the South Florida Business Journal, said, “[Among] most reporters I personally know, there’s a heightened sense of responsibility to report objectively. And in that vein, the idea of objectivity and how that applies to journalism has also changed.”
However, according to Lima, fake news has become “a jeer hurled by pundits at demonstrably truthful journalism.”
Although there is broad protection for the press, there are restrictions put on speech, such as making severe statements that constitute a “clear and present danger” to the public’s safety.
According to Yale Sanford, NSU law student and UCF graduate with a degree in broadcast journalism, the press serves to keep the government in check.
“The day that we allow the press to be suppressed in any way is the day we lose the transparency into our government,” he said.
“I hope the White House will recognize the importance of a free, unfettered press,” said
