The ‘war on terror’ weakened the first amendment. Now we desperately need it
Over the past quarter-century, the US supreme court has repeatedly failed to protect first amendment rights. We are suffering the consequences
TL;DR
- The Supreme Court historically bolstered First Amendment rights during past crises like WWI, the Cold War, and the Vietnam War.
- Following 9/11, the court accommodated new government censorship, surveillance, and secrecy measures under the guise of national security.
- Key cases saw the court narrow First Amendment protections, for example, in challenges to 'material support' laws and mass surveillance.
- The court's inaction and decisions have weakened the First Amendment, leaving it ill-equipped to defend against current threats to democratic institutions.
- The precedent set by the court during the 'war on terror' has empowered authoritarian leaders and weakened public freedoms.