Technological advances in an ever-increasing age of communication enable the dissemination of information and opinions by individuals and groups, including the government. The ease of modern communication assists the government in reaching people, which is important because for a republican democracy to function, the government must be allowed to communicate its position. The government relies on words to “explain, persuade, coerce, deplore, congratulate, implore, teach, inspire, and defend.” United States courts have formalized and protected the federal government’s right to speak through the government speech doctrine. This protection allows the government to freely communicate with the public, while also posing potential problems of undue government interference in the political process. . .
