Defining Civil Liberties:

Civil liberties refer to the fundamental freedoms and rights that people have and are shielded
from infringement or intervention by the government are referred to. Fundamental rights
including the freedom of expression, the freedom of the press, the right to privacy, the right to
due process of law, and the right to equal protection under the law are all included in this list of
liberties.
Historical Importance of the Bill of Rights:
The first ten amendments to the US Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights, were approved in
1791. It was created to limit the authority of the federal government and answer concerns about
individual liberty. The Bill of Rights explicitly shields citizens from government overreach by
enshrining fundamental freedoms and rights in legislation.
Exceptions to Free Speech:
Although the First Amendment guarantees the right to free speech and the press, the courts have
acknowledged the following exceptions:
Obscenity: The First Amendment does not protect speech or anything deemed offensive.
Defamation: Untrue remarks intended to damage a person's reputation are not protected.
Incitement to Violence. Notably, expressions that give rise to impending acts of violence are not
protected speech.
Fighting Words: Expressions that are likely to incite physical harm are not protected.
Real Threats: Expressions that pose a real risk of violence are not protected speech.
Hate Speech: Although normally protected, hate speech may no longer be tolerated if it becomes
offensive or harassing.
Holding the Press Accountable:
Society holds the press accountable through mechanisms such as media ethics, journalistic
standards, professional codes of conduct, public scrutiny, and legal recourse. Media outlets are
expected to adhere to principles of accuracy, fairness, objectivity, and transparency in their
reporting.
Exclusion of Certain Speech and Press:
Certain forms of speech and press, such as obscenity, defamation, and incitement to violence, are
excluded from constitutional protection because they are deemed to have little to no value in
promoting the exchange of ideas and may cause harm to individuals or society.
Religious Freedom:
The First Amendment protects religious freedom through two clauses:
Establishment Clause: Prohibits the government from establishing an official religion or favoring
one religion over others.
Free Exercise Clause: Protects the right of individuals to practice their religion without
government interference, as long as it does not violate the law or infringe on the rights of others.
Arguably, religious freedom has been controversial due to disputes over the interpretation and
application of these clauses, particularly regarding issues such as prayer in public schools,
government funding of religious institutions, and religious exemptions from certain laws.