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Is a Facebook “Like” free speech?

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A deputy in Virginia was fired when he liked the Facebook page of the opponent running against his boss for sheriff. He sued for wrongful termination, alleging that his Facebook “like” should be protected free speech under the First Amendment. The judge ruled against him, citing, “Liking a Facebook page is insufficient speech to merit constitutional protection.” Facebook’s in-house attorneys weighed in, stating that endorsing a candidate is enough to warrant free speech. The deputy is appealing the case.

Do you think the judge got it right or should a Facebook “like” be protected under the First Amendment?

Tags: Facebook, Facebook likes, First Amendment rights, free speech, lawsuit, news

Comments (19)

notUrAverageAngel on Tuesday, August 14, 2012 at 4:03 pm

wow this is dumb
lohoe614 on Tuesday, August 14, 2012 at 3:26 am

wow… i say it should be just because of this… i know i dont want to be fired for liking a rival company on facebook
gameofthronesfan on Tuesday, August 14, 2012 at 1:40 am

WOW. I read all of these comments on other stories about how ts needs to write about real **** and then they actually do and everybody has a shitfit. Most of these comments arent even about the issue at hand just liberals and conservatives arguing with eachother. Wtf.
Skyrider3636 on Monday, August 13, 2012 at 11:58 pm

The whole this is difficult to say. There are several supreme court cases that have stated that certain places, mainly schools, can limit the freedom of speech. How ever in this case it should be a freedom because it’s a possible belief that this guy has. If his moral values side more with the candidate then he has the ability to exercise his freedom of speech and his freedom of beliefs.
ZeroAce on Monday, August 13, 2012 at 11:40 pm

conservatives have no voice on this website. Its too biased and so far left that you have like 10 left wing liberals for every right wing conservative. by the time another conservative comes to ones aid, its hopeless. but i guess it comes with the territory.
iTucker on Monday, August 13, 2012 at 10:55 pm

I’m not saying anymore this has gotten way outta hand
Meya_Bby on Monday, August 13, 2012 at 9:22 pm

The man deserves his opinion.
iTucker on Monday, August 13, 2012 at 8:18 pm

No unlike you I understand and I on the contrary hope you have a crappy day
Dj_Monster95 on Monday, August 13, 2012 at 8:04 pm

I agree with Davyyy. @SexyBuzzlightyear, you know nothing about the “Liberal Agenda”, and i’m taking it you base your opinions off of your parents’ seeing how you look 12 in your profile pic and couldn’t possibly know anything about the constitution or politics for that matter. The same goes for iTucker. You two have a fabulous day.
iTucker on Monday, August 13, 2012 at 7:44 pm

In other words look at the pot call the kettle black