From CNN

Free Speech Is Only Important If It’s Offensive

Last week, CNN ran a piece on Larry Flynt, HUSTLER, and the dangers of publishing controversial content, in light of the recent attacks on Charlie Hebdo in Paris.

Flynt spoke with CNN about his history with the First Amendment and freedom of expression, and about the importance of staying strong resolute in defending freedom of speech regardless of the threat of violence or retribution for publishing questionable content.

“What a lot of people don’t realize is that for the first 200 years of this country, parody and satire were not protected speech. It was only when I won the court case with the Reverend Jerry Falwell in 1988 that satire and parody became protected speech. Although that’s a horrifying incident that happened in Paris, we can’t be scapegoated into being afraid to live our lives because we are going to fall victim to the same sort of misfits. It’s a disease in society that we have to fight, and we should be applauding these people who are out on the front row doing it.”

To see the entire clip from CNN, click here.