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.
-
We Hear You: Free Speech, the Transgender Agenda, ‘Mockingbird,’ and the Deep State
Editor's note: Outrage over the muzzling of certain ideas in our school classrooms and government offices is the common thread of this week's collection of correspondence from The Daily Signal's audience. Write us at [email protected].—Ken McIntyre Dear Daily Signal: How is the bullying and threatening of a Boise State University political science professor, Scott Yenor,…Ken McIntyre -
Jeff Sessions Stands Up for Student in Free Speech Lawsuit
Attorney General Jeff Sessions filed a statement of interest into a student’s free speech lawsuit against his school Tuesday. The Department of Justice called Los Angeles Pierce College’s speech policies an “unconstitutional prior restraint,” according to a press release obtained by The Daily Caller News Foundation. Plaintiff Kevin Shaw sued the school in March for banning free…Rob Shimshock -
North Carolina Acts to Protect Free Speech on Campus
On Monday, North Carolina lawmakers took a bold stand in favor of free speech on public college campuses. The time is ripe for such reforms, as free speech is under attack on campuses around the country. North Carolina lawmakers refused to retreat and became the first to enact a law based on a proposal developed…Jonathan Butcher -
We Must Protect Free Speech on College Campuses
“The history of intellectual growth and discovery clearly demonstrates the need for unfettered freedom, the right to think the unthinkable, discuss the unmentionable, and challenge the unchallengeable.” This quote, taken from the 1974 Woodward Report at Yale, summarizes the policy that was, for years, the gold standard of what free speech on campus should look…Rep. Jim Jordan -
5 Ways to Convince College Students That Free Speech Matters
In recent days, college students have shouted down, pepper-sprayed, punched, and otherwise shut down the campus guests whose ideas they considered offensive. The most prominent recent cases have included Milo Yiannopoulos (University of California, Berkeley), Charles Murray (Middlebury College), and Heather Mac Donald (Claremont McKenna College), but a number of institutions have disinvited scheduled speakers…Bruce Ashford -
UC Berkeley Tries to Dismiss Free Speech Lawsuit
The University of California, Berkeley is trying to dismiss a free speech lawsuit filed following the cancellation of Ann Coulter’s speech at the school in April. UC Berkeley attorneys insist the claims made by Young America’s Foundation and the Berkeley College Republicans are “moot,” according to a court document obtained by Campus Reform Friday. “The alleged restrictions…Rob Shimshock -
A Liberal Democrat Student Explains Why He Advocates Free Speech at Colleges
Free speech on campuses—and the lack thereof—was the topic of a hearing on Tuesday of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Among the panelists was Zachary Wood, a 21-year-old student at Williams College and president of a group called Uncomfortable Learning, which attempts to expose students to a diversity of opinion by hosting speakers on campus. Opposition…Madison Laton -
Free Speech Is Dying on the College Campus. How We Can Revive It.
Higher education rests on the free flow of ideas. Education requires that positions be held tentatively, tested by opposing arguments that are rationally considered, and evaluated. All colleges therefore must protect free speech. Public institutions must adhere to the various guarantees of the First Amendment. Too often, all of these fundamental principles have been under assault….Sen. Chuck Grassley -
How Some State Politicians Are Using Government to Threaten Free Speech
When it comes to threatening the free speech rights of American citizens, progressives have largely been the culprits at the federal level. Yet increasingly, Republican state legislators have taken up this crusade. Last month, New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez rightly vetoed a Republican-supported bill that would have forced nonprofits to disclose their supporters’ personal information, saying…Jeremy Cady -
Conservatives Fight for Free Speech at a Far-Left College
There seems to be a serious disconnect nowadays between what conservatives are, and what they are accused of being. Campus leftists thoughtlessly dub conservatives “racists” and “homophobes,” and regularly fling those epithets on both conservative students and right-leaning speakers who come to campus. This misunderstanding of conservative values is deeply unfortunate, and it comes amid…Mary Clare Amselem -
The University of Virginia’s Fight to Protect Free Speech
According to some observers, college campuses are facing a “free speech crisis.” From author Charles Murray, who faced violent protests at Middlebury College, to Manhattan Institute scholar Heather Mac Donald, who was shouted down by students at Claremont McKenna College, controversial free speech cases arise on college campuses almost weekly. But amid the chaos, some college and university…Kelsey Bolar -
Student Rights Group Begins Litigating ‘Free Speech Zones’
An organization dedicated to protecting the constitutional rights of college students has helped file the first lawsuit as part of a new campaign to end “free speech zones” on college campuses. The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, or FIRE, helped Los Angeles Pierce College student Kevin Shaw file a lawsuit after he was told…Ashe Schow -
Making Free Speech Great Again in a World of Safe Spaces
Free speech has become anything but. Instead of engaging in productive dialogue to understand different viewpoints, people are lining up to shut down conversation. Sadly, these days the exercise of “free speech” comes at a price—bodily harm, verbal abuse, etc. This trend is most evident on college campuses via the “safe space” movement. Students at…Beverly Hallberg -
Conservatives Score Victory for Free Speech at California University
A California university has changed its policies regarding free speech after being sued by Young America’s Foundation and conservative speaker Ben Shapiro. The lawsuit, which was filed by attorneys from the Alliance Defending Freedom, came after a Shapiro speaking event sponsored by Young America’s Foundation and organized by its affiliate organization, Young Americans for Freedom,…Caleb Ecarma -
It’s Time to Restore Free Speech to American Churches
For more than 60 years, the federal government has been sticking its nose where it doesn’t belong, threatening to punish houses of worship and their leaders for what they say. The Free Speech Fairness Act was introduced in Congress earlier this week and, if enacted, would go a long way toward ending that. Ever since…Jim Campbell -
We Need to Amend the Johnson Amendment So the IRS Will Allow Free Speech
Millions of Americans will go to the polls Nov. 8 and vote. These Americans are a cross section of society; they are diverse, with many different opinions, political views, areas of interest, and sources of knowledge that inspire their choices. Such a robust civil society is part of what makes our country great. This civil…Tony Perkins -
Obama Should Not Put Free Speech on Internet at Risk by Giving Up US Oversight
The incredible ingenuity of the American people invented the internet—one of the most transformational technologies in human history. But even though we created and paid for the internet, we did not keep it for ourselves; we shared it for the benefit of all humanity. That spirit of freedom and generosity is the very essence of…Ted Cruz -
Colleges’ War on Free Speech Continues
The University of Chicago’s president, Robert J. Zimmer, wrote a Wall Street Journal article, titled “Free Speech Is the Basis of a True Education.” In it, he wrote: Free speech is at risk at the very institution where it should be assured: the university. Invited speakers are disinvited because a segment of a university community…Walter E. Williams -
How the Left Is Using Intimidation to Silence Free Speech
Most Americans are familiar with the scandal at the IRS targeting conservative groups, but how widespread is the attempt to silence free speech and political activity? Wall Street Journal columnist Kimberley Strassel says it’s one of the biggest threats to our democracy. She sat down with The Daily Signal to talk about her new book,…Genevieve Wood -
Ben Shapiro Fights Back Against College Campus Free Speech Crackdowns
The censorship of free speech on a college campus has caused a legal fight to brew in California A lawsuit filed Thursday against numerous staff at California State University-Los Angeles claims that the university discriminated against free speech by trying to silence Ben Shapiro, 32, a prominent conservative voice who has spoken on college campuses…Leah Jessen