Constitutional right to lie
To the editor:
In 2015, in the case of the United States vs. Alvarez, the Supreme Court made clear that there is generally a First Amendment right to lie. In another case, Fox News lawyers argued, and won, that they have a legal right to broadcast things that are untrue. A Florida Court of Appeals unanimously upheld this verdict, agreeing that there is no rule against distorting or falsifying broadcast news.
But, ethically, should this “right to lie” extend to our national leadership? Should any President have the “right” to lie about things as important as our national elections? Should this “right to lie” extend to making false charges, filing frivolous lawsuits, and holding up a legal and necessary transition of power? Should American citizens be fed unfounded conspiracies creating division and hatred with no basis in fact because it is the president’s “right” to lie to us?
American democracy was not founded on falsehood. It was founded on the principles and ideals of virtue, equality, and justice.
Susan McGuire
Pineland