Amendment Quote by Ira Glasser
“The first exception [to the First Amendment] will not be the last.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Legal Commentary on First Amendment, 1978
The statement warns that allowing one exception to free speech rights will set a precedent that leads to further erosions of those rights.
In simple terms: One exception can lead to many more.
Guard against any erosion of free speech.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- court decisions
- legislative debates
- public policy
- media regulation
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What safeguards can prevent a slippery slope?
- When is an exception justified?
May ignore legitimate needs for limited restrictions.