System Update with Glenn Greenwald Substack CEO on Protecting Writers from Speech Crackdowns; Week in Review: Matt Taibbi's Censorship Hearing Testimony, Fascism Expert Flees the U.S., and More
9 snips
Apr 3, 2025 
Chris Best, Co-founder and CEO of Substack, discusses the platform's collaboration with FIRE to safeguard writers' free speech, especially those critiquing foreign governments. He emphasizes the challenges of fostering diverse voices amidst rising censorship and political biases. The conversation also touches on a Yale professor fleeing the U.S. over political concerns and highlights troubling congressional hearings, exposing the disconnect between politicians and everyday Americans in the realm of freedom of expression.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Student Deportation
- A Turkish PhD student at Tufts was detained and faces deportation.
- This is allegedly due to an op-ed she co-authored, raising free speech concerns.
Shifting Criticisms
- Substack, initially criticized for harboring right-wing views due to its free speech policy, now faces potential accusations of protecting left-wing radicals.
- This shift arises from their commitment to protecting writers criticizing foreign policy, including U.S. policy towards Israel.
Substack's Growth and Corporate Media
- Corporate journalists who previously criticized Substack are now joining it.
- This is likely due to the platform's success and the changing media landscape.
