Which term describes speech identified as libel, obscenity, and fighting words, which may be restricted in certain contexts?

• A. Nonprotected Speech
• B. Fully Protected Speech
• C. Symbolic Speech
• D. Commercial Speech

Answer: (A)

Some speech isn’t protected by the First Amendment. Libel, obscenity, and fighting words fall into categories that the government can restrict in appropriate contexts. Libel involves false statements that harm someone’s reputation, obscenity refers to material judged to be prurient and without redeeming social value, and fighting words are phrases likely to provoke an immediate violent response. Because these do not receive First Amendment protection, they can be regulated or punished more readily than other types of speech. By contrast, fully protected speech (like most political speech), symbolic speech, and commercial speech are treated differently under the First Amendment, so they’re not described by this term.