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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As States Hint Resistance to SCOTUS Ruling on Gender Counseling, What’s Next for Free Speech?
Even after a decisive Supreme Court ruling on free speech in gender counseling, more such cases could be on the way as state and local governments across the country have bans of some sort on reparative therapy. The Supreme Court recently ruled 8-1 against Colorado’s law that required counseling to conform to gender ideology. Some…Fred Lucas -
Over 30,000 Petition in Defense of Former Police Officer’s Free Speech Rights
In a massive show of public support for former police officer Jacob Kersey, petitions containing over 30,000 signatures will be delivered Friday to the mayor and city council of Port Wentworth, Georgia, calling on city officials to apologize for infringing his First Amendment rights. Kersey, a 19-year-old police rookie, was pulled from duty and pressured…Dan Hart -
Corporate Media Suddenly Concerned About Free Speech After Twitter Suspends Several Journalists
The corporate media is in hysterics because a few of their own were finally suspended on Twitter. Twitter reportedly banned the accounts for sharing information about the location of Twitter owner Elon Musk’s private jet. This comes just after Musk said a “crazy stalker” followed his car, which had his 2-year-old son inside, and jumped…Jarrett Stepman -
Claims of Free Speech, Anti-Gay Discrimination Clash at Supreme Court in Website Designer’s Case
In an already packed Supreme Court term—one in which the justices will consider everything from racial preferences in the college-admissions process to President Joe Biden’s student-loan forgiveness plan—one case looms large: 303 Creative v. Elenis. In this high-profile controversy, the court has been asked to decide whether the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act—the state’s public accommodations nondiscrimination…Sarah Parshall Perry -
Supreme Court Hears Graphic Designer’s Case in Major Free Speech-Gay Rights Battle
The Supreme Court is weighing in on a free speech case that could affect millions of Americans. The high court heard oral arguments Monday for a case involving Colorado graphic designer Lorie Smith. Smith does not want to be forced to create custom wedding websites for same-sex weddings, but a Colorado public accommodations law would…Virginia Allen -
The Media vs. Free Speech on Twitter
Anyone who thinks the First Amendment is best represented by the “news” media isn’t paying attention to the way they wage war on freedom of speech for the conservative “rabble” on social media platforms. Imagine if the media had attacked new media owners Jeff Bezos or David Zaslav with the kind of venom that they’re…Tim Graham -
Win for Website Designer at Supreme Court Would Be Win for Free Speech for All
Imagine you’re an artist who creates custom websites. A new client asks you to create one that will promote a pro-life rally and celebrate the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent Dobbs decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Unbeknownst to the client, you disagree with the June 24 Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision and in…Lathan Watts -
In Big Win for Free Speech, Federal Court Rules That Beauty Pageant Need Not Include Transgender ‘Female’
File this one under “outcomes we could have predicted.” A federal court last week determined that a beauty pageant association could exclude a transgender “female” (i.e., a male) from participating in one of its contests. The decision Wednesday by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit was a major win for the First…Sarah Parshall Perry -
Why This Graphic Artist Took Her Free Speech Case to Supreme Court
Colorado graphic artist Lorie Smith doesn’t want to be forced to create wedding websites for same-sex couples. “I’ve always been creative, I’ve always wanted to design for weddings, and I want to design and create for weddings in a way that’s consistent with God’s view of marriage,” Smith says. Alliance Defending Freedom, a Christian legal…Virginia Allen -
Website Designer 303 Creative’s Case Before High Court Pits Free Speech vs. Gay Rights
The Supreme Court will rule “at least 7-2 in favor of 303 Creative,” Notre Dame Law School professor Sherif Girgis predicts. Girgis joined a panel discussion Oct. 25 with lawyers Kristen Waggoner and David Cole that turned into a civil debate at the National Archives in Washington, discussing the future of the pending free speech…Virginia Allen -
Free Speech vs. Banning Jews
The University of California, Berkeley is known for many things, some good and some very bad, even outrageous. In 1964, a ban on campus political and religious activities launched what was called the free speech and academic freedom movement that quickly spread to other campuses. To many of an older generation, it quickly got out of hand….Cal Thomas -
Free Speech May Improve Your Mental Health, Psychologist Says
In a world of “safe spaces” and politically correct speech, clinical psychologist Chloe Carmichael says she believes that society needs more free speech, not less. Free speech can help individuals grow and learn as they explore and debate ideas with others, Carmichael says, adding that it even improves anxiety and depression. “I think that stopping…Virginia Allen -
In Canada, Free Speech Is Under Fire. America, Take Heed.
When Americans consider Canada, they probably think of maple syrup and funny accents. They should start thinking about alarming amounts of authoritarianism. What has been jokingly referred to as “America’s hat” has been going through a rough patch recently when it comes to protecting its citizens’ fundamental liberties. And next on the chopping block…Douglas Blair -
How One Mom Is Fighting Against Big Education and for Free Speech
Free speech has been under attack for a long time on college campuses. Now more than ever, students and parents need tools to navigate the woke culture within education. “I think we see college administrators giving themselves huge powers because … they have these speech codes, where they ban 'hateful' speech, 'offensive' speech, and sure,…Lauren Evans -
Disinformation Board Paused, ‘Mary Poppins’ Director Out, but Biden Suppression of Free Speech Continues
After only a few weeks, the unconstitutional, correctly criticized federal Disinformation Governance Board has been “paused” and “Minister of Truth” Nina Jankowicz has resigned. It is appropriate to celebrate, but amid statements from the White House saying the “work is going to continue,” we should beware that some version of the board will quietly pop…Erin Dwinell -
Unanimous Supreme Court Flies Flag for Free Speech in Case Against City of Boston
In a rare unanimous ruling on Monday, the Supreme Court secured a major victory for free speech. In the opinion in Shurtleff v. Boston, authored by retiring Justice Stephen Breyer, the court ruled that the city of Boston violated the Constitution when it prohibited a group from flying a Christian flag on a flagpole it…Sarah Parshall Perry -
Pennsylvania College Reins in Free Speech After Hillsdale Professor’s Talk Leaves Left Grumbling
Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, has given us yet another disturbing example of modern American colleges’ disdain for free speech. David Azerrad, a professor at Hillsdale College’s D.C. campus, gave a lecture at Saint Vincent on April 8, “Black Privilege and Racial Hysteria in Contemporary America,” and the speech rubbed Gary Quinlivan the wrong way. Quinlivan is co-director of…Douglas Blair -
University of Virginia Cavalier Daily ‘Journalists’ Show Cavalier Disrespect for Free Speech
“Here we are again,” began an editorial in The Cavalier Daily, the University of Virginia’s student newspaper, urging censorship of a speaker at the university. Here we are again, indeed—yet another column adding to the national chorus decrying free speech, this time authored by the newspaper’s very own editorial board. At this point, sadly, pieces…Hans von Spakovsky -
Campus Free Speech Problems Come Down to Culture
We’ve all heard stories about university administrators cracking down on free speech. But free expression is suffering even without these enablers, and that should worry us. In a recent New York Times op-ed, University of Virginia senior Emma Camp powerfully defended freedom of expression as she described her own practice of self-censoring while on campus….Veronique de Rugy -
Free Speech Group Sues Texas School Over Policy It Says Violates Students’ First Amendment Rights
More than ever, free speech is under attack on college campuses across America. Spending tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars for college is “a huge investment to live four years in fear and self-censorship,” says Cherise Trump, the executive director of Speech First, a membership organization that litigates on behalf of its members…Virginia Allen