Free speech is something that people have been fighting for, for a very long time. Even now, in a time where it appears that most social troubles have been put to rest, there are still certain places in the world where people are very repressed. Even here, at Santa Clara, ethics classes bring up the topic of free speech, and a question that is frequently asked is “How far can free speech go?” As Americans, free speech is one of our basic liberties and something that all should be entitled to. However, the debate carries on. People struggle every day to try to find a standard base that everyone can “say this is right, and that is wrong.” Certain individuals believe that the state should have the power to be able to censor what is and is not appropriate to be said. However, I and I am sure Doctorow would disagree with this statement. The whole plot of Little Brother revolves around a government agency attempting to regulate how much people know about a situation and an individual deciding to stand up for his own freedom as well as the freedom of the rest of his countrymen.
            As much as I wish that I could provide a substantial answer as to how far can free speech go, I feel as though in our complex society today the path leading us to an answer is one that is going to be extensive and with many roadblocks along the way.

taken from here