Brennan Center: Is the Big Lie Protected Speech?

[brooklynite]

Wednesday, May 4, 6–7 p.m. ET

One-third of Americans still believe the Big Lie, which is the verifiably false claim that Donald Trump was the winner of the 2020 presidential election. The Supreme Court has ruled that certain lies and inaccuracies are protected under the First Amendment — but when an elected official’s lies intentionally undermine our democracy, does that protection extend? And since big lies need an audience, what is the responsibility of the press in preventing their spread?

SPEAKERS: Katy Glenn Bass, Research Director, Knight First Amendment Institute, Columbia University // Catherine J. Ross, Lyle T. Alverson Professor of Law, George Washington University Law School // Ciara Torres-Spelliscy, Fellow, Brennan Center for Justice; Professor of Law, Stetson University College of Law // Moderator: Eugene Daniels, White House Correspondent, Playbook Co-Author, POLITICO

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[bucolic_frolic]

1. I don't see how lies are protected speech when they are part of, or used, for fraud

We prosecute and punish fraud in all forms. They are a public and private nuisance and are disruptive to orderly business and society.