The Real Meaning Of First Amendment Free Speech

Right-wing liar and conspiracy buff, Alex Jones, has been banned by several social media sites. This has some right-wingers screaming that his free speech rights are being violated. Some others on both the right and left have also made the same claim when social media thinks they have gone a bit too far and punished them.

They are all wrong. Their right to the free speech guaranteed by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution has NOT been violated. They misunderstand what that right guarantees.

The First Amendment is shown above. Read it. It does not say that any private business (such a media or social media) must allow you to say whatever odious or divisive thing you want to say. And it does not say you are protected from these private businesses taking action against you if you violate their standards. It also doesn't keep other people from attacking you for those views.

The free speech right protects only one thing. It says the Congress (government) cannot restrict your right to say or print what you want, and cannot punish you for doing that. That is ALL! As long as the government doesn't act to restrict your speech or punish you for it, your right to free speech has NOT been violated.