No law shall be passed to curtail or restrain freedom of speech or of the press. Section 1 Paragraph V, Georgia Constitution Why is the right described in the quotation from the Georgia Constitution important?

The rights to "freedom of speech" and "freedom of the press" are important because they were a part of the Georgia Bill of Rights, which were passed during the time when the state of Georgia seceded from the Union (1861). During this time period in Georgia, it was wanted for the state to have its own powers - free of the federal government.

Explanation:

The Georgia Constitution Bill of Rights differs in some ways from the United States Constitution's Bill of Rights. The right to freedom of speech and freedom of the press in the Georgia Constitution (Article 1, Section I, Paragraph V) guarantees that, "No law shall be passed to curtail or restrain the freedom of speech or of the press. Every person may speak, write, and publish sentiments on all subjects but shall be responsible for the abuse of that liberty."

In the United States Constitution (Article I, Amendment 1) the right to freedom of speech and freedom of the press state, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." The abuse of these liberties is not mentioned here as in the Georgia Constitution.