Criminal speech
Encyclopedia
Criminal speech is a legal concept that identifies certain kinds of speech
as a crime
. The concept is somewhat at odds with freedom of speech
in its broadest sense, within the broader freedom of expression, and asserts certain limitations on such freedom.
Concepts like criticism of government
and criticism of royalty
are controversial. Other concepts limiting certain kinds of speech are not, such as that which prohibits shouting fire in a crowded theater
(as a practical joke
, and not as a warning), as such speech has the potential to cause harm.
Laws vary by country according with the legal principles that such country adheres to. Most speech is unregulated, and does not violate law. In reference to authoritarian governments which assert serious controls, such controls are commonly called suppression of dissent
. In democracies, the concept of hate speech
has emerged in recent years, to counteract the political and social influence of hate groups.
Speech
Speech is the human faculty of speaking.It may also refer to:* Public speaking, the process of speaking to a group of people* Manner of articulation, how the body parts involved in making speech are manipulated...
as a crime
Crime
Crime is the breach of rules or laws for which some governing authority can ultimately prescribe a conviction...
. The concept is somewhat at odds with freedom of speech
Freedom of speech
Freedom of speech is the freedom to speak freely without censorship. The term freedom of expression is sometimes used synonymously, but includes any act of seeking, receiving and imparting information or ideas, regardless of the medium used...
in its broadest sense, within the broader freedom of expression, and asserts certain limitations on such freedom.
Concepts like criticism of government
Criticism of government
Criticism of government may refer to criticism of particular government, or of the concept of government itself. In certain cases, such as in certain monarchies and authoritarian governments Criticism of government may refer to criticism of particular government, or of the concept of government...
and criticism of royalty
Criticism of royalty
Criticism of Monarchy may refer to the criticism of monarchy as a form of government, or to the criticism of particular monarchical governments, as controlled by hereditary royal families...
are controversial. Other concepts limiting certain kinds of speech are not, such as that which prohibits shouting fire in a crowded theater
Shouting fire in a crowded theater
"Shouting fire in a crowded theatre" is a popular metaphor and frequent paraphrasing of Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.'s opinion in the United States Supreme Court case Schenck v. United States in 1919...
(as a practical joke
Practical joke
A practical joke is a mischievous trick played on someone, typically causing the victim to experience embarrassment, indignity, or discomfort. Practical jokes differ from confidence tricks in that the victim finds out, or is let in on the joke, rather than being fooled into handing over money or...
, and not as a warning), as such speech has the potential to cause harm.
Laws vary by country according with the legal principles that such country adheres to. Most speech is unregulated, and does not violate law. In reference to authoritarian governments which assert serious controls, such controls are commonly called suppression of dissent
Suppression of dissent
Suppression of dissent occurs when an individual or group which is more powerful than another tries to directly or indirectly censor, persecute or otherwise oppress the other party, rather than engage with and constructively respond to or accommodate the other party's arguments or viewpoint...
. In democracies, the concept of hate speech
Hate speech
Hate speech is, outside the law, any communication that disparages a person or a group on the basis of some characteristic such as race, color, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, religion, or other characteristic....
has emerged in recent years, to counteract the political and social influence of hate groups.