雪軒齋隨想

A chilling effect is a situation where speech or conduct is suppressed or limited by fear of penalization at the hands of an individual or group. For example, the threat of a costly and lengthy lawsuit might prompt self-censorship and have a chilling effect on free speech. In law, chilling effects refer to the stifling effect that vague or overbroad laws may have on legitimate speech and activity typically protected by the First Amendment.

Source: Wikipedia

Posted by CeShine on Tuesday, August 16, 2005 at 2:31 PM | Permalink