The Michael Shermer Show Free Speech Under Fire? From Campus Protests to Deportations
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May 6, 2025 Jacob Mchangama, founder of the Future of Free Speech and professor at Vanderbilt University, dives into the critical state of free expression today. He discusses the tense clash between free speech and government regulations, especially regarding non-citizens' rights. Mchangama sheds light on influential cases like Ranjani Srinivasan’s deportation for activism, the complexities of social media’s influence on mental health, and how current political climates are shaping attitudes toward free speech globally.
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Free Speech for Non-Citizens
- Non-citizens in the U.S. should ideally have free speech protections once admitted.
- Targeting individuals solely for speech risks undermining America’s historical role as a free speech champion.
Cold War Music Resistance
- During the Cold War, a Czechoslovakian was imprisoned 15 years for simply enjoying American music and radio.
- This illustrates how powerful free expression was as a threat to authoritarian regimes.
Brandenburg Test on Free Speech
- The Brandenburg test sets a high legal bar, punishing speech only when it incites imminent lawless action.
- Protecting even hateful speech ultimately safeguards the rights of minorities and democratic discourse.
