• slickgoat@lemmy.world
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    4 hours ago

    I already said that there were limitations to free speech earlier. But untruth is also protected under the US Constitution. It all relates to a possibility of harm.

    If i said that I was the Easter Bunny, it would be a lie, but who is harmed by it?

    If I falsely yell fire in a crowded theatre and people get trampled, then harm, or a risk of harm is evident.

    These are all standard arguments on free speech. But, yes, there are many carve outs where an untrue statement is protected under law. I just don’t have the time or inclination to list them all. You can check them out yourself.