Monday, December 19, 2016
#FreeSpeech in the News: Dec. 19, 2016
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.
“Professors at Washington State University (WSU) have denounced free speech discourse for creating ‘a campus that is especially disempowering to marginalized students,’ in an open letter to the community published by the school newspaper, The Daily Evergreen.”
Washington State Professors: Free Speech Discourse Is ‘Disempowering To Marginalized Students’, The Daily Caller
“If we don’t put in place some sort of mechanism which will protect freedom of speech while at the same time increasing accountability, it will be too easy to justify repressive [legislative] regimes.”
France plans internet ombudsman to safeguard free speech, The Guardian
“The Founders’ understanding of free speech and press presumes, encourages, and develops certain virtues necessary for political freedom: namely, the ability to reason independently and, in turn, to speak and defend oneself rationally.”
Rethinking the Bill of Rights, National Review
“Laws that dissuade people like Tammy Holland and groups like Coloradans for a Better Future from expressing their opinions corrode the foundations of public discourse. Campaign finance regulations don’t create a thriving marketplace of ideas. They silence the citizens who have the fewest resources.”
Can’t Afford a Lawyer? No Free Speech for You., reason.com
“Don’t get me wrong. Campuses probably need more intellectual diversity (especially from conservative thinkers) and definitely more public debate. But the principled way to achieve those ends is to actually have the debate. Not to shut it down.”
The right shuts down free speech, too, The Washington Post
“These students don’t seem to grasp that by granting authority figures the power to adjudicate which speakers have the right to be heard, they will inevitably find their own speech silenced when opponents claim offense, fear, or discomfort.”
Opposition to “offensive” speech on campuses will ultimately burn dissidents, Vox.com
