Monday, June 12, 2017
#FreeSpeech in the News: June 12, 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.
“The letter suggests that if Trump does not un-block his critics, he will find himself embroiled in yet another lawsuit over another of his violations of the Constitution.”
Blocked By The President: Are Trump’s Twitter Practices Violating Free Speech?, Forbes
“Listening to talking heads on both the left and the right, you’d think that America is facing a freedom of speech crisis. But the crisis isn’t what it’s made out to be. The Jonathan Chaits and Frank Brunis and Sean Hannitys of the world are not lacking in a freedom to speak, nor are the white conservatives on college campuses they seem so worried about. It’s women and people of color who struggle the most finding a platform – but there is a conspicuous lack of concern about that by free speech crusaders.”
Yes, there is a free speech crisis. But its victims are not white men, The Guardian
“This whole issue of free speech is a lot more nuanced than what it appears to be in a single headline or what it appears to be on the surface.”
Hate speech vs. free speech: Where is the line on college campuses?, Los Angeles Times
“A First Amendment law center at Columbia University is threatening to sue President Trump if he doesn't stop blocking people whose comments he doesn't like on Twitter.”
Free Speech Legal Center Threatens To Sue Trump For Blocking Twitter Users, NPR
“Ask these people if we should have a right to say what we believe in. They will say no because they will say no free speech for hate speech.”
Trump Supporters Accuse Liberal Communities Of Hostility Toward Free Speech, NPR
“The institute argues that presidential use of the social media platform to discuss and debate issues of public importance make it a public space where free speech protections apply.”
"The 66 (d) law should be terminated, because the government and the military have used it to cause trouble for the media and the people.”
Myanmar journalists take fight for freedom of speech to court, Reuters
“Students, faculty and administrators need to know the rules governing campus speech on their campus, including where the policies get it right and where they go wrong, and where they are outdated compared to recent judicial standards.”
Want to solve this ‘free speech’ debate on college campuses? Look to the handbook., USA Today
“We all have the right to express our opinions but we also have the responsibility to accept whatever outcomes those expressions might bring about, with one exception: when people try to silence us because they disagree then we have the obligation to press forward as respectfully as possible.”
Griffin Cries ‘Bully’, U.S. News & World Report
“Critics of the decision were quick to accuse the school of censoring speech it doesn’t like and they gleefully seized upon Harvard President Drew Faust’s commencement address last month that was devoted to free speech and the dangers of censorship.”
Harvard’s revocation of admission offers is no attack on free speech, The Washington Post
“And that’s the freedom the First Amendment guarantees. The right to speak out without being jailed — although not the right to speak out without being criticized.”
In Portland, the haters are entitled to free speech, but not to our silence in the face of their views, The Washington Post
“Private schools write their own discipline codes. But with this action, Harvard is sending a message with a classic free-speech chill: You can say anything — but not here."
Figuring Out Free Speech At Harvard, WBUR 90.9
