表达自由案件中的“公共论坛”原理——基于美国宪法判例的分析

“Public Forum”Doctrine in Freedom of Expression Cases——Analysis Based on American Constitutional Case Law

"公共论坛"原理是美国最高法院在审理表达自由案件的过程中发展出来的,其所要解决的主要问题是:当公民企图利用某些公共财产传递信息或者进行交流时,政府可以在何种程度上对此类表达活动加以限制。依据该原理,政府对表达自由的限制是否合宪,与所涉及的公共财产是否为"公共论坛"有一定的联系。本文介绍了"公共论坛"原理的形成过程及司法适用,并分析了它的合理性和缺陷及其可能的启示意义。

Public forum doctrine is developed by the American Supreme Court in cases involving freedom of expression.The central problem it addresses is what kinds of restrictions government may impose on the use of public property when citizens attempt to use such property as a channel of communication.According to the public forum doctrine,whether the government's restriction is constitutional or not is related to whether the public property involved is a 'public forum.' This article explores the public forum doctrine,including its formation and judicial application.It also analyzes the reasonableness as well as the drawbacks of the public forum doctrine.