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.
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- Opinion
How the New Left on College Campuses Is Killing Free Speech
The role of colleges and universities in America used to be to encourage intellectual thought and discussion. But Charles Kesler, one of America’s most prominent conservative professors and a senior fellow at the Claremont Institute, says free speech and thought are under assault on campuses around the country. Today’s liberal campus protesters, Kesler says in…Genevieve Wood -
- News
Colleges Use Tax-Exempt Status to Excuse Restricting Free Speech
Universities point to the tax code as an excuse to suppress free speech on campuses across the United States, an education rights group told a House panel. Students, professors, and others, testifying Wednesday before the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight, said college officials often are reluctant to eliminate “microaggression” policies and allow free speech for fear they…Natalie Johnson -
- News
The Christian Educator Behind Teachers’ Fight for Free Speech at the Supreme Court
An “adversarial attitude” toward people of faith permeates the public education system and should be confronted by teachers and parents who disagree, the head of an organization for Christian educators said in an interview with The Daily Signal. Finn Laursen, executive director of the Christian Educators Association International, said that attitude toward religion first took…Kevin Mooney -
- Opinion
This Judge Tried to Limit a Former Pastor’s Free Speech
A district court judge in Mecosta County, Mich. has ordered a former pastor, Keith Eric Wood, to be arrested for felony obstruction of justice and misdemeanor jury tampering. His crime? Wood distributed a pamphlet (available here) on jury rights and jury nullification—when a jury believes the defendant is guilty but returns a “Not Guilty” verdict…John-Michael Seibler -
- News
College Student Takes a Stand Against Campus Free Speech Policy, Sues School
A student at an Arizona community college is challenging her school’s so-called “speech zone,” arguing the policy “severely limited” her right to free speech and due process. Brittany Mirelez, a freshman at Paradise Valley Community College in Maricopa County, Ariz., was kicked out of the designated speech zone in October for failing to obtain permission…Kelsey Bolar -
- News
Students Score Victory for Free Speech at Dixie State University
The right to free speech gained new ground last month—not in some distant land, as one might expect, but at Dixie State University, because of three students who refused to be silenced. The case of Jergins v. Williams, a lawsuit filed on March 4, 2015, by students William Jergins, Forrest Gee, and Joey Gillespie,…Joshua Gill -
- Opinion
Why Forcing Non-Profits to Disclose Their Donors Would Damage Free Speech
Critics of the current campaign process for state and federal offices are urging states and Congress to require nonprofit advocacy organizations to disclose the identities of their donors to the government, and thus the public, when they engage in political speech and discussion of public policy issues that might have an effect on an election….Hans von Spakovsky -
- Opinion
The War on Free Speech
One of the rights we should celebrate (and cherish) during Liberty Month is freedom of speech. Another is our ability to freely choose our representatives in local, state and federal elections. Freedom to speak on public policy issues as well as on candidates and politics is directly related to the election process. Indeed, that freedom…Hans von Spakovsky -
- Opinion
Group Waging War on Meter Maids Tests Free Speech Limits
Forgetful residents of the New Hampshire city of Keene have found an ally with a group of activists who call themselves Free Keene. These self-styled “Robin Hooders” run ahead of meter officers, and slip nickels into expired meters. Free Keene members leave cards informing vehicle owners that they have been “Saved from the King’s Tariff!”…Andrew Kloster -
- Opinion
Enough With the Outrage Police: Free Speech Matters
Americans take justifiable pride in their right to free speech. People may be muzzled by their government in places such as Cuba and North Korea, but not here. You can say what’s on your mind without fear of prosecution. But can you do so without fear of persecution? More and more, it seems, the answer…Ed Feulner -
- Opinion
Kirsten Powers on the War Against Free Speech and Why Most on the Left Don’t Get It
I spoke with Fox News contributor Kirsten Powers this week about her new book, “The Silencing: How the Left Is Killing Free Speech.” Powers gives example after example of how those who oppose a particular political or cultural view will pull out all the stops to silence and shame their opposition. I begin by asking…Genevieve Wood -
- Opinion
Cartoon: Feeding Frenzy on Free Speech
News coverage of the Muhammad cartoon contest in Texas, where the two attackers who opened fire on the event were killed by police, has exposed a lack of understanding about the First Amendment among many in the mainstream media. It was not created to protect speech that doesn't offend anyone. It was created to protect…Glenn Foden -
- Opinion
A Standing Ovation for Free Speech at the Golden Globes
Hollywood celebrities delivered a standing ovation in support of free speech this evening at the Golden Globe Awards. After show hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler began with a running theme that poked fun at Sony’s decision not to release “The Interview” in theaters because of threats from North Korea, things got a bit more…Ericka Andersen -
- Opinion
Free Speech Isn’t Free, Even at Berkeley
This month marks the 50th anniversary of the Free Speech Movement at the University of California, Berkeley. The student movement that sparked the rebellions of the 1960s is widely celebrated, particularly at Berkeley, which has hosted several dozen special classes, sing-ins and lots of “political” poetry over the past month. Berkeley’s embrace of the FSM…Kim Holmes -
- News
Union’s Free Spending Raised Free Speech Concerns at Issue in Court Case
Union leaders based in Chicago racked up more than $13,000 in hotel charges to attend President Obama’s second inauguration and more than $6,000 to purchase booze for a Christmas party the month before. If the bosses of the Service Employees International Union plan to continue spending in that fashion, though, they may have to find…Kevin Mooney -
- Opinion
This Proposed Amendment Would Violate Your Right to Free Speech (But Not the Media’s)
Imagine if Congress passed and the president signed a law making it a crime to utter “false, scandalous and malicious” statements “against the government.” Do you think that would violate your right to free speech? Of course it would. It’s startling to realize that such a law was, in fact, enacted at one time. In…Ed Feulner