So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast

Ep. 236: JD Vance, 60 Minutes, the Associated Press, the FCC, and more

Feb 19, 2025

JD Vance critiques Europe's stance on free speech, contrasting it with American values. The discussion dives into the Trump administration's exclusion of the Associated Press from press events and the implications for media freedom. Recent developments in online expression laws in Europe raise concerns about censorship and penalties. The podcast also addresses the FCC's regulatory authority and the complexities of free speech in relation to current political pressures. A fascinating look into the evolving landscape of free speech rights!

01:06:27

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Quick takeaways

The critique of European free speech restrictions highlights a growing threat to fundamental freedoms, contrasting with the U.S. First Amendment protections.

Political executive orders often serve as performative gestures lacking real legal power, raising concerns about their effectiveness in safeguarding free speech.

Misconceptions about free speech in historical contexts reveal the dangers of authoritarian suppression, underscoring the importance of genuine expression over restrictive laws.

Deep dives

The Value of Executive Orders

Executive orders issued by the current administration are criticized as ineffective, often stating they do not create enforceable rights or legal benefits. This language suggests that these orders lack real power and are essentially worthless in providing protection for free speech. The podcast highlights that such orders should be viewed more as political statements rather than binding legal frameworks. This points to a broader concern about the effectiveness of government proclamations in safeguarding individual rights.

Intro

6min

Free Speech in the Crosshairs

12min

The Tension Between Government and Press Freedom

3min

The Complexities of Free Speech and Government Authority

3min

Censorship and Free Speech in the COVID Era

8min

Media, Regulation, and Free Speech

25min

Exploring the Paradoxes of Free Speech Absolutism

2min

Free Speech and Government Action

8min

From JD Vance’s free speech critique of Europe to the Trump administration barring the Associated Press from the Oval Office, free speech news is buzzing. General Counsel Ronnie London and Chief Counsel Bob Corn-Revere unpack the latest developments.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

01:49 JD Vance’s speech in Europe

13:27 Margaret Brennan’s comment on the Holocaust

15:13 Weimar fallacy

17:36 Trump admin v. Associated Press

21:33 DEI executive order

27:39 Trump’s lawsuits targeting the media

28:54 FIRE defending Iowa pollster Ann Selzer

32:29 Concerns about the FCC under Brendan Carr

44:09 2004 Super Bowl and the FCC

46:25 FCC’s history of using the “Section 230 threat”

49:14 Newsguard and the FCC

54:48 Elon Musk and doxxing

59:44 Foreigners and the First Amendment

01:05:19 Outro

Read the transcript here.

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Show notes:

- “Vice President JD Vance delivers remarks at the Munich Security Conference” The White House (2025)

- “Utterly bizarre assertion from Margaret Brennan…” Michael Tracey via X (2025)

- “Rubio defends Vance's Munich speech as CBS host suggests 'free speech' caused the Holocaust” FOX News (2025)

- “Posting hateful speech online could lead to police raiding your home in this European country” 60 Minutes (2025)

- “AP reporter and photographer barred from Air Force One over ‘Gulf of Mexico’ terminology dispute” AP News (2025)

- “FIRE statement on White House denying AP Oval Office access” FIRE (2025)

- “Ending radical and wasteful government DEI programs and preferencing” The White House (2025)

- “Meta to pay $25 million to settle 2021 Trump lawsuit” The Wall Street Journal (2025)

- “Trump settles suit against Elon Musk’s X over his post-Jan. 6 ban” AP News (2025)

- “Questions ABC News should answer following the $16 million Trump settlement” Columbia Journalism Review (2025)

- “Trump v. Selzer: Donald Trump sues pollster J. Ann Selzer for ‘consumer fraud’ over Iowa poll” FIRE (2025)