Question

Return to the opening scenario and the Citizens United case. Is political advertising purchased by corporations appropriate? Do you agree with the five members of the Supreme Court who voted to allow it, or with the four who dissented and would have drawn distinctions between free speech by individuals and organizations? Why?

 

 

Answer 1

Corporations were held to be protected by the First Amendment and therefore, they have the right to express their political views. If a legal position is taken, the political advertising purchased by corporations is appropriate.

 

The views taken by the jury differ. An assertion by a group, who voted to allow it, perhaps, had the same kind of perspective which the constitution makers had. Prohibiting organizations from “electioneering communications” amounts to censorship and as speech is vital to democracy, therefore, it must not be suppressed.

 

Corruption has to be abolished but not at the expense of free speech. The citizens of America should be authorized to take a call on the ideas they consider worthy for discussion. Any legislation cannot put bar on this right.

 

The others, who have drawn distinctions between free speech by individuals and organizations, could be of the view that organizations tend to operate with profit\r\nmotive and they may support hidden agenda by way of such speech.

Corporations were held to be protected by the First Amendment and therefore, they have the right to express their political views.