# Fla. Const. art. I, § 4: Fla. Const. art. I, § 4. Freedom of speech and press

> Florida · Constitutions · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SCONST_FL_AI_S4

## Section

- **Citation:** Fla. Const. art. I, § 4
- **Heading:** Fla. Const. art. I, § 4. Freedom of speech and press
- **Jurisdiction:** Florida
- **Kind:** Constitutions
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Article I / Section 4

## Text

Every person may speak, write and publish sentiments on all subjects but shall be responsible for the abuse of that right. No law shall be passed to restrain or abridge the liberty of speech or of the press. In all criminal prosecutions and civil actions for defamation the truth may be given in evidence. If the matter charged as defamatory is true and was published with good motives, the party shall be acquitted or exonerated. History. — Am. proposed by Constitution Revision Commission, Revision No. 13, 1998, filed with the Secretary of State May 5, 1998; adopted 1998.

## Nearby sections

- [Fla. Const. art. I, § 1 Fla. Const. art. I, § 1. Political power.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SCONST_FL_AI_S1.md)
- [Fla. Const. art. I, § 2 Fla. Const. art. I, § 2. Basic rights.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SCONST_FL_AI_S2.md)
- [Fla. Const. art. I, § 3 Fla. Const. art. I, § 3. Religious freedom.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SCONST_FL_AI_S3.md)
- [Fla. Const. art. I, § 4 Fla. Const. art. I, § 4. Freedom of speech and press.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SCONST_FL_AI_S4.md)
- [Fla. Const. art. I, § 5 Fla. Const. art. I, § 5. Right to assemble.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SCONST_FL_AI_S5.md)
- [Fla. Const. art. I, § 6 Fla. Const. art. I, § 6. Right to work.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SCONST_FL_AI_S6.md)
- [Fla. Const. art. I, § 7 Fla. Const. art. I, § 7. Military power.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SCONST_FL_AI_S7.md)
- [Fla. Const. art. I, § 8 Fla. Const. art. I, § 8. Right to bear arms.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SCONST_FL_AI_S8.md)
- [Fla. Const. art. I, § 9 Fla. Const. art. I, § 9. Due process.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SCONST_FL_AI_S9.md)
- [Fla. Const. art. I, § 10 Fla. Const. art. I, § 10. Prohibited laws.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SCONST_FL_AI_S10.md)
- [Fla. Const. art. I, § 11 Fla. Const. art. I, § 11. Imprisonment for debt.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SCONST_FL_AI_S11.md)
- [Fla. Const. art. I, § 12 Fla. Const. art. I, § 12. Searches and seizures.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SCONST_FL_AI_S12.md)
- [Fla. Const. art. I, § 13 Fla. Const. art. I, § 13. Habeas corpus.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SCONST_FL_AI_S13.md)
- [Fla. Const. art. I, § 14 Fla. Const. art. I, § 14. Pretrial release and detention.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SCONST_FL_AI_S14.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SCONST_FL_AI_S4. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.