Alabama Constitution Section 4 - Freedom of speech and press.
Alabama Constitution – Section 4: Freedom of Speech and Press
Text of Section 4:
"That no law shall ever be passed to curtail or restrain the liberty of speech or of the press; and any person may speak, write, and publish his sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that liberty."
✅ Explanation and Key Points:
Absolute protection from prior restraint:
The Alabama Constitution prohibits any law that would censor or restrict speech or the press before it happens.
Freedom to express opinions:
Every person in Alabama has the right to express their views—whether through speech, writing, or publication—on any subject.
Responsibility for misuse:
While freedom is broad, this right is not unlimited. A person can still be held legally accountable (e.g., for libel, defamation, or inciting violence) if they abuse this liberty.
🔍 Comparison with U.S. Constitution:
This section is similar to the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech and the press, but Alabama's language is even stronger in some respects, particularly in preventing prior restraint (i.e., preemptive censorship).
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