The freedom of speech isn't absolute. For example, you can get arrested for shouting "Fire!" in a crowded movie theater.
> I can't see why people don't just ignore gag orders
Because people don't think it's worth the consequences. Which might include: Going to jail, financially ruinous fines and/or legal expenses, company being forced out of business which destroys your workers' livelihoods and shareholder value, being sued by shareholders for breaching "fiduciary duty" (making decisions that are blatantly bad for the company).
My guess is that, for a lot of people, the potential reward doesn't justify the stakes.
The freedom of speech isn't absolute. For example, you can get arrested for shouting "Fire!" in a crowded movie theater.
> I can't see why people don't just ignore gag orders
Because people don't think it's worth the consequences. Which might include: Going to jail, financially ruinous fines and/or legal expenses, company being forced out of business which destroys your workers' livelihoods and shareholder value, being sued by shareholders for breaching "fiduciary duty" (making decisions that are blatantly bad for the company).
My guess is that, for a lot of people, the potential reward doesn't justify the stakes.