

#1595 - Ira Glasser
Jan 15, 2021
Ira Glasser, former director of the ACLU and advocate for free speech, discusses the evolution of expression in the digital age. He highlights the challenges social media poses to public discourse and the complexity of navigating hate speech laws. Glasser contrasts historical protests with today's online dissent, emphasizing the necessity of free expression for marginalized voices. He also reflects on the importance of civil dialogue amidst political polarization, urging a collaborative approach for social justice and progress in civil discourse.
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Flag Burning for Attention
- To protest James Meredith's shooting, Sidney Street burned an American flag to attract media attention.
- This act symbolized his message and allowed him to reach a larger audience.
Social Media as Utilities
- Social media platforms are like utilities, providing essential communication infrastructure.
- They should be content-neutral, like telephone companies, and not control conversations.
The Problem with Banning Hate Speech
- Banning hate speech is problematic as it empowers someone to decide what constitutes hate.
- This power can be misused to suppress any speech those in authority dislike.