Facebook 'like' in U.S. court over free speech

WASHINGTON —Freedom of speech on Facebook is at the heart of an appeals court case in Virginia involving an elected sheriff who fired staff members who “liked” his rival on the social networking site.

The American Civil Liberties Union this week associated itself with the case in Newport News city, contending that the “like” button on Facebook is a form of free speech protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution.

A US District Court judge ruled earlier this year that liking someone on Facebook was “insufficient speech to merit constitutional protection,” and that Sheriff B.J. Hampton was thus not breaking the law when he fired six staffers in his office who had “liked” his opponent in a 2009 election.

Liking a political candidate on Facebook just like holding a campaign sign is constitutionally protected speech,

It is verbal expression, as well as symbolic expression. Clicking the ‘like’ button announces to others that the user supports, approves or enjoys the content being liked.

Facebook itself joined the debate this week as well, saying its “like” feature was “the 21st century equivalent of a front-yard campaign sign” and intended to stir conversation and discussion.

 Facebook said believe that the First Amendment protects everyone,  regardless of how an individual expresses his or her thoughts,

Facebook has become “a means of communication for so many Americans and people across the world,” she noted, and the appeal in Virginia to be heard in September therefore represents such an important case.