Monday, May 15, 2017
#FreeSpeech in the News: May 15, 2017
As the Citadel of Free Speech here in Cleveland, we work to protect and promote the basis of our democracy by sharing related stories, commentary, and opinions on free speech in the 21st century. Here's what's making the news - and what you should know about - this week.
"An injustice has been done today. I think he was found guilty because of political pressure and mobocracy - the pressure of the mob. This is bad for freedom of speech in Indonesia. I think this is a very sad day for democracy."
Indonesia Islam: Governor’s blasphemy conviction divides a nation, BBC News
“It’s a new definition of free speech where if you don’t agree with that opinion, you start labeling it as hate speech… That’s not real free speech.”
A free speech clash on the Common leads to two arrests, The Boston Globe
“The freedom to engage with that in a safe, open forum allowed us to grow into advocates.”
Cleveland State’s policing of social media suppresses free speech Christine Link and Elizabeth Bonham, cleveland.com
“The Free Speech Fairness Act is all about speech. It does not allow 501(c)(3) organizations to begin purchasing political campaign ads, or to otherwise create a cash flow of “dark money” for politicians.”
GOP religious freedom bill restores free speech, not ‘dark money’, The Hill
“Fortunately, more recent pronouncements by the U.N. have shown a greater appreciation for the importance of freedom of speech even while condemning behavior that is intolerant of religion.”
Blasphemy laws are an unholy offense against free speech. And they’re spreading, Los Angeles Times
“It was heartening to listen to my enemies respectfully, and conclude that in a country that permits free inquiry, they would never win.”
My lesson in free speech: As a Jew, meeting with Holocaust deniers actually left me feeling empowered, Los Angeles Times
“As a free society, we must protect speech in the public square. That’s why the Westboro Church lunatics are accompanied by a sizable police force when they protect military funerals… This does not, however, mean that speech comes without consequences. If Westboro Church leader Fred Phelps applied for a job at your company, you would be fully within your rights to turn him down because he is a wile, hateful person whom you do not wish to employ.”
What Free Speech Isn’t, National Review
“Every generation must relearn the lessons of free speech."
Free speech is not, repeat not a hate crime, Newsweek
A compilation of free speech related news.
When liberals defended free speech and other notable comments, New York Post
“So this is what you get into when you have bureaucrats and legislators applying their personal opinions and some whims to what is protected free speech, certainly commercial free speech.”
Raging Bitch, Good Shit, and Flying Dog Beer’s Fight For Free Speech, reason.com
“Far from protecting free speech, this bill would interfere with it.”
Groups, Students at Odds Over University Free Speech Bill, U.S. News & World Report
“The university has dual imperatives. It has to be a place that is welcoming and open to students of all backgrounds, cognizant of the barriers that impede students from marginalized groups… But that cannot and must not come at the expense of being an open environment for speech.”
Is free speech fading at colleges? Some defenders think so, The Washington Post
