Re:12-year-old sues school district over Facebook profile se...
by mseebach on Sunday March 11, 2012 @02:07PM
(#3690843)
> The classic "you can't yell fire in a crowded movie theater" example.
That classic example is very often misunderstood to describe a limitation on free speech. It doesn't. The government can not forbid you from shouting fire in a crowded theatre - but free speech does not come with indemnity: You are responsible for the consequences of your actions, including your speech. If other people in good faith reacts to your (in bad faith) shouting and get hurt, you are liable. If the theatre owner looses revenue from your shouting, you are liable. But you have every right to shout it.
That classic example is very often misunderstood to describe a limitation on free speech. It doesn't. The government can not forbid you from shouting fire in a crowded theatre - but free speech does not come with indemnity: You are responsible for the consequences of your actions, including your speech. If other people in good faith reacts to your (in bad faith) shouting and get hurt, you are liable. If the theatre owner looses revenue from your shouting, you are liable. But you have every right to shout it.