Title

The Contentious American Debate: The First Amendment and Internet-based Hate Speech

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2000

Publication Source

International Review of Law, Computers & Technology

Abstract

This essay reviews the debate over what constitutes hate speech and whether or not such speech is protected by the American First Amendment. First, the concept of white racialism and white supremacy is defined and illustrated. Then after a brief discussion of the legal debate, the nature and problematic definition(s) of hate speech is presented. The unique speech environment of the internet is reviewed alongside attempts to limit and censor topics available on the internet. The arguments for and against restricting first amendment protection are discussed, with a focus on Michael Israel's five criteria for withdrawing first amendment protections. The work concludes with a discussion of the difficulty in constraining discourse on the internet.

Inclusive pages

33-41

ISBN/ISSN

1360-0869

Comments

Permission documentation is on file.

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

Volume

14

Issue

1

Peer Reviewed

yes

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