Freedom of speech — the right to express opinions without government restraint — is a democratic ideal that dates back to ancient Greece. In the United States, the First Amendment guarantees free speech, though like all modern democracies, it limits this freedom. Over the years, the U.S. Supreme Court has helped define what types of speech are — and aren’t — protected under U.S. law.
The ancient Greeks pioneered free speech as a democratic principle. The Greek term “parrhesia” means “free speech” or “to speak candidly.” The term first appeared in Greek literature around the end of the fifth century B.C. During the classical period, parrhesia became a fundamental part of Athenian democracy. Leaders, philosophers, playwrights, and everyday citizens were free to discuss politics and
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