ANOTHER VIEW | SOUTH FLORIDA SUN SENTINEL

It isn't only late-night TV hosts who have the freedom to criticize the powerful. It's not just the press that depends on the First Amendment.

Freedom of speech is so pervasive in our lives that we take it for granted. A temporarily silenced Jimmy Kimmel reminded us why we can't.

The First Amendment guarantees freedom from government interference in expression. It bars the government from forcing speech or silence on its citizens. It prohibits government retaliation for either.

It is not a weapon to be used on political opponents.

It is also speech with consequences. A podcaster can be sued for libel, as can this newspaper. Moviegoers can be banned by a theater owner for shouting "Fire" when there is none.

But Americans have a right to be wr

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