Current Free Speech Doctrine: Will It Work on the Internet?

Current Free Speech Doctrine: Will It Work on the Internet? The Internet offers a much greater potential for interactive communication between information senders and receivers than the more traditional methods of communication such as newspaper, radio and television. Freedom of speech ascertained by the constitution is not an absolute right. Depending on the medium through which information is delivered various degrees of the freedom to express one’s self is protected. Internet communication may be …

…that are particularly solicitous of the interest of mass media—radio, television, and mass circulated newspaper—devote little thought to securing the difficulties of access to those media The overwhelming public use of the Internet has forced a major focus on the public’s access to a mass medium. The Internet’s purpose of creating an opportunity for expression has been as important as ensuring the right to express ideas without fear of governmental reprisal.