Court Rules FOR The FREEDOM Of SPEECH! SHOCKING! (ethical, legal, school) - Politics and Other Controversies -Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Conservatives, Liberals, Third Parties, Left-Wing, Right-Wing, Congress, President - City-Data Forum

KevK · 02-17-2010, 10:36 AM

In a shocking ruling, a Federal Court has ruled that the First Amendment does apply to freedom of speech! I agree 100% with it. Students have an absolute right to be critical of school administrators and or teachers on Facebook. If they say something untrue, the teacher has a right to sue the hell out of them for libel and slander. The school however does not have the right to try and control what students say off campus on line.

Student’s Facebook Tirade Against Teacher Is Protected Speech | Threat Level | Wired.com

RVA-Jsn20 · 02-17-2010, 10:44 AM

What about the policy that some school districts have that if you get in trouble with the law outside of school you can get in trouble with the school in addition to any legal charges you may be facing (talking mainly about alcohol charges here). Truly outrageous!

KevK · 02-17-2010, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVA-Jsn20

What about the policy that some school districts have that if you get in trouble with the law outside of school you can get in trouble with the school in addition to any legal charges you may be facing (talking mainly about alcohol charges here). Truly outrageous!

I agree. It is not the school's business what you do outside of school UNLESS it involves extra curricular activity. If a student athlete or cheerleader is caught stealing or dealing outside of school, the school should certainly retain the right to remove them from the team. They are entitled to demand that those who represent their school in public be of high moral and ethical character. But other than that, what you do off campus is your own business or between you and the law- or your family.

Jaggy001 · 02-17-2010, 11:48 AM

I thought the article was interesting but was unconvinced by the last ruling which went against the PA student. Apparently the teachers said that there was substantial disruption because the students were talking about it. On that basis a student who did especially well in a non-school activity might also get into trouble if students were talking about it (e.g. when my daughter won a state Karate championship in her age group). Or do teachers get to pick and choose what constitutes "disruptive behavior"?