What is the current state of the law on free speech in the context of freedom of speech?

Our form of democratic government is dependent upon the unfettered exchange of information. (Gertz v. Welch, supra, 418 U.S. at pp. 339-340, 94 S.Ct. at pp. 3006-3007, 41 L.Ed.2d at p. 805.) The "[p]reservation of free expression is of particular urgency in the political arena, since it is universally agreed that a major purpose of the First Amendment is to ensure vigorous, uninhibited discussion of governmental affairs." (Varanese v. Gall (Ohio 1988) 35 Ohio St.3d 78, 83, 518 N.E.2d 1177.)