The Importance of Anonymous Speech
Talley v. California is notable for its exposition on anonymous speech. While looking at the historical applications of anonymous speech, the court points to two uses in particular that influenced their decision.
- Fear of Retaliation - Speaking anonymously protects those that criticize oppressive practices from the oppressors.
- Encourage Open Discource - Once protected, anonymous speech encourages the open discussion in matters of public importance.
Read more about this topic: Talley V. California
Famous quotes containing the words importance, anonymous and/or speech:
“More than ten million women march to work every morning side by side with the men. Steadily the importance of women is gaining not only in the routine tasks of industry but in executive responsibility. I include also the woman who stays at home as the guardian of the welfare of the family. She is a partner in the job and wages. Women constitute a part of our industrial achievement.”
—Herbert Hoover (1874–1964)
“I would rather have as my patron a host of anonymous citizens digging into their own pockets for the price of a book or a magazine than a small body of enlightened and responsible men administering public funds. I would rather chance my personal vision of truth striking home here and there in the chaos of publication that exists than attempt to filter it through a few sets of official, honorably public-spirited scruples.”
—John Updike (b. 1932)
“Some subjects come up suddenly in our speech and cannot be silenced.”
—Mason Cooley (b. 1927)