The government bears an exceptionally heavy burden of proof to justify any prior restraint because prior restraints are inherently likely to distort the marketplace of ideas and to punish ideas government disfavors.

Question

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This is a well-established principle in US First Amendment law. Prior restraints, such as censorship or attempts to prevent the publication or dissemination of certain information, are highly disfavored because of their potential to chill free expression and stifle debate. Any government action seeking to impose such a restraint must overcome a high legal threshold and demonstrate a compelling need for doing so.

The Government Bears an Exceptionally Heavy Burden of Proof to Justify