Free Speech Rights

Judiciary Assignment Free speech has always been a problem, on the internet or in real life. However, it is extremely complicated in the virtual world. Free speech rights make sure people are allowed to freely express their opinions and emotions. With the help of social media, more voices are heard, similarly, insulting words are spread further. It seems that not many people know their limits and use the free speech exercise to say anything they want, without thinking about the consequences. When it has gone too far, a trial would take place and more controversial would raise. One case that concerning social media and freedom of speech was Elonis v. the United States. The case was back in 2014. According to the Legal Information Institute, the thing seems to be roused up after Anthony Douglas Elonis’s wife left him. He went on the social media site, called Facebook, and upload the video of him rapping using the lyrics composed by himself. His wife, boss and his co-workers find threats in the lyrics. Adam Liptak states that “Mr. Elonis wrote that he would like to see a Halloween costume that included his wife’s ‘head on a stick.’ He talked about ‘making a name for myself’ with a school shooting, saying, ‘Hell …show more content…
I believe that the decisions should be more flexible depending on the case. In this case, we can see clearly that Elonis wrote those lyrics aim directly at the wife, co-workers and also the kindergarten children. He has the motivation to write those lyrics, and it can be seen as threats, mentally, to the prosecutors. I believe that everyone should have the right of free speak, but only if it creates a friendly, discussion encouraging and respectful atmosphere. It should be illegal once the speakers attack other people and have the sign of being a threat to the