美国“言论自由”的边界

Restrictions on Freedom of Speech in the United States

尽管《美国宪法》第一条修正案保障“言论自由”,但美国对言论自由仍有诸多法律限制。在保证内容中立的前提下,政府可以对发表言论的时间、地点和方式进行合理限制。根据美国的历史和传统,政府也可以对数种特殊类别言论施加内容限制,包括煽动即时犯罪、淫秽、殴斗语言、诽谤等,但仅仅包含不实信息的言论并不单独构成一种特殊类别。当今世界社交媒体蓬勃兴起,不实言论得以空前的数量和速度传播,迄今为止美国基本还是在现有的法律框架内处理与社交媒体不实言论相关的问题,效果有限。另一方面,网络世界也是各种言论和观点的竞争场所。竞争可以澄清事实、戳破谎言,既减少不实言论的危害,又使得公众可以参与对重要公共问题的讨论和争辩。

The First Amendment to the U.S.Constitution prohibits the federal government from making laws abridging freedom of speech,but legal restrictions on freedom of speech do exist in the United States.Provided they are content neutral,reasonable restrictions can be imposed on the time,place and manner of speech.Based on history and tradition,the government can also enact content restrictions relating to speech which fall under certain special categories,including inciting imminent lawless action,obscenity,fighting words and libel.False speech alone,however,does not constitute a special category.With the rise of social media today,false speech is spreading in unprecedented quantity and speed.Up to now,the United States has primarily dealt with false speech in social media within the existing legal framework,with limited effect.On the other hand,cyberspace is also a competing ground for different opinions and ideas.Such competition can clarify facts and expose lies,thereby reducing the dangers posed by false speech while maintaining an environment for the public to participate in discussions and debates on important public issues.