So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast

Ep. 232: We answer your free speech questions

Dec 18, 2024

Ari Cohn, lead counsel for tech policy at FIRE, Robert Shibley, special counsel for campus advocacy, and Will Creeley, legal director, dive into pressing free speech issues. They tackle the TikTok ban and its implications on First Amendment rights, discuss mandatory DEI statements, and dig into age verification laws affecting online speech. The trio also unpacks SLAPP suits and defamation settlements, providing insights on how corporate decisions impact journalism. Throughout, they emphasize the crucial need for educating the next generation on free speech rights.

01:06:49

Creator website

Episode guests

Will Creeley

Robert Shibley

Ari Cohn

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

The podcast emphasizes the potential dangers of government censorship exemplified by the TikTok ban and its implications for free speech.

Compulsory Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion statements at universities are debated for their possible infringement on academic freedom and free speech rights.

The discussion highlights the impact of cancel culture on free speech, advocating for a discourse culture that respects diverse opinions.

Deep dives

Member-Driven Engagement

The webinar opens with a focus on member engagement, encouraging participants to submit questions related to free speech issues. The discussion highlights the importance of community involvement in supporting the mission of promoting free speech principles. Participants are reminded that membership at FIRE includes benefits such as access to exclusive webinars, publications, and events. The organization emphasizes the significance of donation drives, especially during the end-of-year period, to sustain its advocacy efforts for free speech.

Intro

2min

Free Speech and TikTok: Legal Battles and Broader Implications

16min

Age Verification and Free Speech

18min

Advocacy for Free Speech Rights

15min

Understanding SLAPP Suits and Free Speech

7min

The Impact of Defamation Settlements on Free Speech

2min

Corporate Accountability and the Press: Unpacking ABC's Decisions

2min

Examining the Evolution and Challenges of Free Speech Rights

2min

Educating the Next Generation on Free Speech Rights

2min

10.

Addressing Unanswered Questions and Community Support

2min

FIRE staffers take your questions on the TikTok ban, mandatory DEI statements, the Kids Online Safety Act, Trump vs. the media, and more.

Joining us:

Ari Cohn, lead counsel for tech policy
Robert Shibley, special counsel for campus advocacy
Will Creeley, legal director

This webinar was open to the public. Future monthly FIRE Member Webinars will not be. Become a paid subscriber today to receive invitations to future live webinars.

If you became a FIRE Member through a donation to FIRE at thefire.org and would like access to Substack’s paid subscriber podcast feed, please email sotospeak@thefire.org.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

00:52 Donate to FIRE!

02:49 TikTok ban

10:01 Ari’s work as tech policy lead counsel

12:03 Mandatory DEI statements at universities

15:19 How does FIRE address forced speech?

18:17 Texas’ age verification law

24:35 Would government social media bans for minors be a First Amendment violation?

33:48 Online age verification

35:17 First Amendment violations while making public comments during city council/school board public meetings

37:25: Edison, New Jersey city council case