Free Speech News
The Daily Signal provides coverage of free speech battles, censorship issues, and constitutional debates. Includes commentary and opinion pieces on protecting civil liberties in America.
-
Trump Vows to Cut Funding to Colleges That Don’t Protect Free Speech
President Donald Trump prompted a thunderous chant of “USA, USA” from an audience of conservative activists Saturday when he announced actions to protect free speech on college campuses. Trump made the announcement after inviting Hayden Williams, 26, who says he was assaulted for his beliefs Feb. 19 at University of California, Berkeley, to come onstage…Fred Lucas -
How Unnecessary Laws Pit Falconry Against Free Speech
When flocks of birds fly too close to airports, hotels, or landfills, property managers call someone like professional falconer Scott Timmons. Timmons launches one of his falcons to patrol the property, where the majestic creature swoops and dives, scaring away seagulls, pigeons, and the like. His bird gets to fly free while he enjoys a…Jim Manley -
Professor Thinks Banning These Words Would Fix Free Speech on College Campuses
University of Pennsylvania law professor Amy Wax is accustomed to political wrongthink. Wax has a bachelor’s degree from Yale College, a medical degree from Harvard, and a law degree from Columbia. But none of those was enough to exempt her from being on the receiving end of a full-fledged campaign to get her fired. Nor…Kelsey Bolar -
UC Berkeley Limits Free Speech … Again
The University of California at Berkeley, regarded as the birthplace of the free speech movement, has done away with one of its historic “free speech zones.” Carol Christ, chancellor of UC Berkeley, last month emailed a statement to students, faculty, and staff detailing changes to the university’s policy regarding free speech events on campus. Among…Troy Worden -
The Daily Signal Podcast: In Britain, Free Speech at Risk
Great Britain has historically been one of the most free countries in the world. But in this hypersensitive age, free speech is coming under genuine threat—not just on college campuses, but across British society. Anglican Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali joins us to discuss. Plus: The media gets worked up over an apparent ice-throwing incident in Brett…Katrina Trinko -
Defend Free Speech as ‘Precious and Rare,’ Jeff Sessions Tells High Schoolers
A raucous crowd of high schoolers greeted Attorney General Jeff Sessions when he championed freedom of speech as “precious and rare” during remarks Tuesday at Turning Point USA’s annual High School Leadership Summit. After hitting the stage to the strains of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama,” Sessions told the crowd of young people at George…Jeremiah Poff -
‘We Need More Free Speech’: How ‘Miss Community’ Is Bringing Civility to Her City
Clovia Lawrence, known in Richmond, Virginia, as “Miss Community,” recently spoke to Daily Signal Editor-in-Chief Rob Bluey about her work in the city and why she’s passionate about bringing people together to solve problems. An edited transcript of her interview is below. Rob Bluey: You really are about bringing people together, forging strong relationships. You’ve…Rob Bluey -
We Hear You: Some Free Speech to Honor Those the Nation Salutes on Memorial Day
Editor's note: We remember those who died for our freedom on Memorial Day, so it's fitting that this week's column reflects the freedom with which The Daily Signal's audience expresses its views. Write us at [email protected]—Ken McIntyre Dear Daily Signal: This weighs on me. There is so much confusion and emotionalism, not to mention lack of…Ken McIntyre -
Free Speech Efforts on Campus Face Uphill Battle in California
A California venture capitalist has gathered enough signatures to put before voters this fall the idea of breaking his state into three. Skeptics say the proposal will fare no better than previous efforts to do the same, yet the state is already politically fractured—and nowhere are the fissures more evident than on the state’s college…Jonathan Butcher -
Arizona Passes Law to Protect Free Speech on Campus
For the second time in three years, Arizona lawmakers have strengthened laws protecting free speech on public college campuses. In 2016, state lawmakers banned so-called “free speech zones” on public university campuses, and on Wednesday, Republican Gov. Doug Ducey signed legislation that protects individuals’ rights to demonstrate on campus. It also prohibits a school from…Jonathan Butcher -
We Hear You: Millennials, Jobs, Free Speech, and the Opioid Crisis
Editor's note: In more than one way, Easter is about new beginnings. So this week's edition kicks off with your comments on The Daily Signal's coverage of the White House's "Generation Next" forum focused on millennials. Write us at [email protected].—Ken McIntyre Dear Daily Signal: Turning Point USA's Candace Owens is indeed courageous, as Rob Bluey's interview…Ken McIntyre -
How the Trump Administration Is Protecting Free Speech on College Campuses
Sarah Flores spoke at the White House’s Generation Next forum for millennials Thursday. As director of the Justice Department’s Office of Public Affairs, she spoke about free speech on colleges campuses and the opioid crisis. The Daily Signal’s Kelsey Harkness and The Federalist’s Bre Payton also asked her about being a “problematic woman.” An edited transcript…Bre Payton -
White House Millennials Conference to Address Economy, Free Speech, and Opioids
President Donald Trump will speak to millennials this week at a conference touting how his policies benefit young people, while also addressing the growing opioid crisis among the young and the lack of free speech on college campuses. Trump won’t deliver his remarks in a traditional speech, but will instead be interviewed by Charlie Kirk,…Fred Lucas -
Florida Bans ‘Free Speech Zones’ at State Colleges
Florida Gov. Rick Scott has signed into law a bill banning so-called “free speech zones” at public universities and allowing students and speakers to sue the schools for violating their First Amendment rights. Free speech zones are limited areas, sometimes only fractions of a campus, where students may express themselves freely. Critics argue that an…Kyle Perisic -
3 Supreme Court Cases to Watch in the Fight for Free Speech
Supporters of free speech should pay attention to three cases before the Supreme Court, lawyers said at a recent Heritage Foundation event. Provisions of local, state, and even federal law threaten to impose politically correct and leftist views on Americans, infringing on their First Amendment rights, the speakers said. The Heritage event featured Jacob Huebert,…Chrissy Clark -
Campus Activists Take on a Generational Battle for Free Speech
The battle for Western civilization is taking place on the campuses of American universities and high schools, activists argued Thursday at the Conservative Political Action Conference. Five conservatives spoke out against liberal bias on college campuses on a panel that, in a reference to North Korea’s communist dictator, was titled “Kim Jung Un-iveristy.” “Somehow liberals…Chrissy Clark -
How to Protect Free Speech on Campus? Override the Heckler’s Veto.
The irony and hypocrisy are obviously lost on self-styled “anti-fascists” who loudly—and, more often than not, violently—shut down, in fascist fashion, the free speech of others on college campuses. Or maybe they are in fact aware of the hypocrisy and just don’t care about the bad PR optics, because they are so self-righteously convinced of…Peter Parisi -
Campus Free Speech Zones Are on the Way Out, and That’s Good News
Inside Higher Ed last week ran an obituary for an idea that was doomed from the start: free speech zones on college campuses. Those zones are often small, hard-to-find areas of campus, and school officials restrict individuals from handing out flyers or demonstrating outside of those areas. The Inside Higher Ed obit says Los Angeles’ Pierce…Jonathan Butcher -
Europe’s War on Free Speech
Any American who ever questions whether the First Amendment is vital to protect free speech should just cast a glance across the Atlantic. Europeans share the same values we do—indeed, our concept of rights derives from European philosophers—and yet they often adopt misguided laws that circumscribe freedom of expression. The latest blunder comes courtesy of…Mike Gonzalez -
Free Speech Is Dying on College Campuses. Here Are 5 Ways to Revive and Protect It.
During the past 18 months, college students have engaged in disruptive and even violent activities toward guest speakers whose ideas they considered offensive. In response, college administrators have tended to capitulate to—or collaborate with—the demonstrators by disinviting scheduled speakers and disciplining students or professors whose views were considered offensive. In fact, recent studies by the…Bruce Ashford