When politicians and pundits cry for “freedom of speech”, hold onto your wallet because they’re almost always trying to put something over on you. What most people mean when they protest about freedom of speech is:
“I want to say whatever I want and not suffer any consequences…but I don’t want you to have the right to criticize me, express an alternative opinion or limit anything I say”.
I don’t believe there is true freedom of speech.
Say something stupid, insulting or controversial at work, at home, online or face-to-face with someone and see how it goes. You might be lucky and get ignored. Or you might get a well-deserved punch in the face. Maybe you’ll be demoted, divorced or fired.
In the real world, there are consequences to your words and actions.
The 1st amendment to the US constitution is pretty clear about what it defines as freedom of speech. It says,
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.“
It doesn’t guarantee the right to say whatever you want, wherever you want, without consequences.
Good luck with that. Let me know how it goes.