Patrick Garry, J.D., is a law professor at the University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law. He teaches courses on the First Amendment, media law, administrative law, advanced torts and employment law. He has written 23 books. His books on the First Amendment include Scrambling For Protection: The New Media and the First Amendment, An American Paradox: Censorship in a Nation of Free Speech and Limited Government and the Bill of Rights.
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Action for Children’s Television v. Federal Communications Commission (D.C. Cir.) (1995)
Action for Children's Television v. FCC (D.C. Cir. 1995) said the restricting indecent television programming during the day did not violate the First Amendment.
Captive Audience
The captive audience doctrine protects people in certain places and circumstances from unwanted speech. It is an exception to the First Amendment rule.
Cohen v. Cowles Media Co. (1991)
In Cohen v. Cowles Media Co. (1991), the Court declined to give First Amendment protection to a paper that was being sued for divulging a confidential source.
Heffron v. International Society for Krishna Consciousness (1981)
Heffron v. International Society for Krishna Consciousness (1981) upheld a content neutral regulation on religious practices against a First Amendment challenge.
Miami Herald Publishing Co. v. Tornillo (1974)
Miami Herald Publishing Co. v. Tornillo (1974) struck down a Florida law granting a right to reply to political candidates who had been attacked by newspapers.
Randall v. Sorrell (2006)
Randall v. Sorrell (2006) said that Vermont's spending and contribution limits infringed upon the First Amendment's right to free speech and threatened freedom of association.
Rowan v. U.S. Post Office Department (1970)
Rowan v. U.S. Post Office (1970) held that a person's right to privacy prevailed over First Amendment claims of publisher mailing sexual materials to a person's home.
Self-government Rationale
The self-government rationale justifies free speech protections of the First Amendment by reasoning that self-government depends on a free and robust democratic dialogue.
Video Games
The Supreme Court has said that video games are entitled to First Amendment protection, invalidating laws that try to limit the access of minors to violent video games.
Zechariah Chafee Jr.
Zechariah Chafee Jr. achieved prominence during World War I and its aftermath, when he argued forcefully for broader protection of free speech rights.