Is banning billboards in a state or city banning freedom of speech?
Posted on January 20th, 2010 by admin
The city I live in recently banned any new billboards from being built so now a billboard company (Lamar) is suing the city and they say it’s going against freedom of speech. Is banning billboards going against the first amendment?
No, because they only took down the billboards because it was causing driving accidents because peoples eyes were not on the road while looking at the boards.
January 20th, 2010 at 10:30 pm
No, it’s banning commercial advertisement.
People can still advertise by word of mouth, so you still have freedom of speech.
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January 20th, 2010 at 10:41 pm
I think it’s just to keep all the clutter from taking over the look and feel of the city.
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January 20th, 2010 at 11:07 pm
No, because they only took down the billboards because it was causing driving accidents because peoples eyes were not on the road while looking at the boards.
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January 20th, 2010 at 11:37 pm
No. The First Amendment prevents the government from stoping the free political speech of individuals, or organizations.
Billboards are for advertising products and services. They can be a distraction to vehicle operators.
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January 21st, 2010 at 12:15 am
no its not banning freedom of speech. it could be interpreted that way if that was there only avenue of speech though.
there seems to be this mis-interpretation of the 1st amendement that implies that if you have something to say I have to listen. That is not the case, you can blab all you want, but you dont have the right to make me listen.
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January 21st, 2010 at 12:41 am
It is not restricting speech. We don’t let people stand on the interstate and spout off and no one says that is banning free speech. It is about choosing how trashy you want your interstate to look.
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