BY RULING ON various cases involving free speech, upholding some laws and striking down others, the Supreme Court has created what is sometimes referred to as an umbrella of protection for the content of speech. At the center of the umbrella stands political speech, which receives the greatest amount of protection. The Court has reasoned that since criticism of the government is vital to democracy, those who take part in political debate must be immune from legal restraints such as defamation laws. Political speech is not completely unregulated, however. In McConnell v. F.E.C. (2003), the Supreme Court upheld the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 which, among other things, places limits on campaign-season television advertising. Crowded near the center of the umbrella stand academic, scientific, journalistic, and artistic expression. These categories of speech are broadly protected but can be restrained...