The Future of Free Speech
@futurefreespeech.org
Reaffirming free expression as the bedrock of free and thriving societies through actionable research, empowering tools, and principled advocacy. We are an independent, non-partisan think tank located at Vanderbilt University. https://futurefreespeech.org
🌏📜 How are decisions out of a court in Strasbourg undermining freedom of expression for an entire continent?
🔗 At Institut H21, Natalie Alkiviadou explains why the European Court of Human Rights' inconsistent approach to hate speech cases is setting dangerous precedents for democracies:
🔗 At Institut H21, Natalie Alkiviadou explains why the European Court of Human Rights' inconsistent approach to hate speech cases is setting dangerous precedents for democracies:
Natalie Alkiviadou: Hate speech/free speech and the European Court of Human Rights
YouTube video by Institut H21
www.youtube.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:39 PM
🌏📜 How are decisions out of a court in Strasbourg undermining freedom of expression for an entire continent?
🔗 At Institut H21, Natalie Alkiviadou explains why the European Court of Human Rights' inconsistent approach to hate speech cases is setting dangerous precedents for democracies:
🔗 At Institut H21, Natalie Alkiviadou explains why the European Court of Human Rights' inconsistent approach to hate speech cases is setting dangerous precedents for democracies:
As AI becomes increasingly integrated into our daily lives, tracking its impact on free expression is crucial.
November 7, 2025 at 5:10 PM
As AI becomes increasingly integrated into our daily lives, tracking its impact on free expression is crucial.
Imagine if posting on social media required you to prove your educational qualifications. Well, in China, you might have to under a new law that requires influencers to prove evidence of expertise before discussing a broad range of professional topics.
November 6, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Imagine if posting on social media required you to prove your educational qualifications. Well, in China, you might have to under a new law that requires influencers to prove evidence of expertise before discussing a broad range of professional topics.
What if we had the power to customize AI? At @bigthink.com's The Well, @mchangama.bsky.social says open-source models place control in the hands of users—so we can create the online world we want without sacrificing free expression.
November 6, 2025 at 6:05 PM
What if we had the power to customize AI? At @bigthink.com's The Well, @mchangama.bsky.social says open-source models place control in the hands of users—so we can create the online world we want without sacrificing free expression.
What's spookier than AI deepfakes of monsters and ghouls 👻🎃? AI policies that jeopardize our most fundamental freedom.
🔗 Beware of jump scares ⚠️ Read this month's .exe-pression newsletter here: https://www.bedrockprinciple.com/p/exe-pression-october-2025
🔗 Beware of jump scares ⚠️ Read this month's .exe-pression newsletter here: https://www.bedrockprinciple.com/p/exe-pression-october-2025
November 5, 2025 at 5:26 PM
What's spookier than AI deepfakes of monsters and ghouls 👻🎃? AI policies that jeopardize our most fundamental freedom.
🔗 Beware of jump scares ⚠️ Read this month's .exe-pression newsletter here: https://www.bedrockprinciple.com/p/exe-pression-october-2025
🔗 Beware of jump scares ⚠️ Read this month's .exe-pression newsletter here: https://www.bedrockprinciple.com/p/exe-pression-october-2025
Reposted by The Future of Free Speech
“Who controls your attention?” Battles rage over freedom of EXPRESSION, but in the digital era, the real problem is freedom of ATTENTION. Everyone desiring freedom and democracy should be fighting for that!
Thanks to @mchangama.bsky.social at @futurefreespeech.org for inviting this. #FreeOurFeeds
Thanks to @mchangama.bsky.social at @futurefreespeech.org for inviting this. #FreeOurFeeds
Can free expression survive if we’ve lost the freedom to choose what we hear?
A new guest post from @rreisman.bsky.social argues that censoring harmful ideas distracts from the root problem: platforms are in charge of what conversations we engage in.
A new guest post from @rreisman.bsky.social argues that censoring harmful ideas distracts from the root problem: platforms are in charge of what conversations we engage in.
November 4, 2025 at 7:33 PM
“Who controls your attention?” Battles rage over freedom of EXPRESSION, but in the digital era, the real problem is freedom of ATTENTION. Everyone desiring freedom and democracy should be fighting for that!
Thanks to @mchangama.bsky.social at @futurefreespeech.org for inviting this. #FreeOurFeeds
Thanks to @mchangama.bsky.social at @futurefreespeech.org for inviting this. #FreeOurFeeds
Can free expression survive if we’ve lost the freedom to choose what we hear?
A new guest post from @rreisman.bsky.social argues that censoring harmful ideas distracts from the root problem: platforms are in charge of what conversations we engage in.
A new guest post from @rreisman.bsky.social argues that censoring harmful ideas distracts from the root problem: platforms are in charge of what conversations we engage in.
November 4, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Can free expression survive if we’ve lost the freedom to choose what we hear?
A new guest post from @rreisman.bsky.social argues that censoring harmful ideas distracts from the root problem: platforms are in charge of what conversations we engage in.
A new guest post from @rreisman.bsky.social argues that censoring harmful ideas distracts from the root problem: platforms are in charge of what conversations we engage in.
Regulating algorithms could open the floodgates to increasing online censorship.
At @techfreedom.org, @ashkhen.bsky.social discusses other solutions to disinformation, extremism, and online hate — none of which sacrifice free expression.
At @techfreedom.org, @ashkhen.bsky.social discusses other solutions to disinformation, extremism, and online hate — none of which sacrifice free expression.
November 3, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Regulating algorithms could open the floodgates to increasing online censorship.
At @techfreedom.org, @ashkhen.bsky.social discusses other solutions to disinformation, extremism, and online hate — none of which sacrifice free expression.
At @techfreedom.org, @ashkhen.bsky.social discusses other solutions to disinformation, extremism, and online hate — none of which sacrifice free expression.
🇲🇱 How did a tweet land a former Mali Prime Minister in jail?
🔗 Learn about all the attacks on free speech from around the world in this week's Free Flow: https://www.bedrockprinciple.com/p/india-scales-back-online-takedown
🔗 Learn about all the attacks on free speech from around the world in this week's Free Flow: https://www.bedrockprinciple.com/p/india-scales-back-online-takedown
October 30, 2025 at 3:05 PM
🇲🇱 How did a tweet land a former Mali Prime Minister in jail?
🔗 Learn about all the attacks on free speech from around the world in this week's Free Flow: https://www.bedrockprinciple.com/p/india-scales-back-online-takedown
🔗 Learn about all the attacks on free speech from around the world in this week's Free Flow: https://www.bedrockprinciple.com/p/india-scales-back-online-takedown
“While France prioritizes reputation protections, the U.S. champions a national commitment to the principle that debate on public issues should be ‘uninhibited, robust, and wide-open,’” said @mchangama.bsky.social, quoting New York Times v. Sullivan.
October 28, 2025 at 9:45 PM
“While France prioritizes reputation protections, the U.S. champions a national commitment to the principle that debate on public issues should be ‘uninhibited, robust, and wide-open,’” said @mchangama.bsky.social, quoting New York Times v. Sullivan.
German “hate speech” laws are already troubling, but their enforcement has become alarmingly disproportionate, unconstitutional, and incompatible with a free society, writes Affiliate Fellow @alhohlfeld.bsky.social.
October 27, 2025 at 4:35 PM
German “hate speech” laws are already troubling, but their enforcement has become alarmingly disproportionate, unconstitutional, and incompatible with a free society, writes Affiliate Fellow @alhohlfeld.bsky.social.
Reposted by The Future of Free Speech
The efforts to shed light on just how bad things have gotten in Europe are gaining momentum. Another mainstream U.S. news outlet (Fareed Zakaria's GPS at @cnn.com) details the free speech recession we have been warning about for years.
October 27, 2025 at 4:14 PM
The efforts to shed light on just how bad things have gotten in Europe are gaining momentum. Another mainstream U.S. news outlet (Fareed Zakaria's GPS at @cnn.com) details the free speech recession we have been warning about for years.
Reposted by The Future of Free Speech
German “hate speech” laws are already troubling, but their enforcement has become alarmingly disproportionate, unconstitutional, and incompatible with a free society. When investigation becomes punishment, the rule of law itself is at risk. Check out my latest blog post at @futurefreespeech.org
Punishment Before Trial? 'Hate Speech' Raids in Germany
German “hate speech” laws are already troubling, but their enforcement has become alarmingly disproportionate, unconstitutional, and incompatible with a free society.
www.bedrockprinciple.com
October 24, 2025 at 2:38 PM
German “hate speech” laws are already troubling, but their enforcement has become alarmingly disproportionate, unconstitutional, and incompatible with a free society. When investigation becomes punishment, the rule of law itself is at risk. Check out my latest blog post at @futurefreespeech.org
Our new report gives the U.S. the highest marks for AI policies that respect freedom of expression. But that lead is fragile, @JMchangama and @JordiCalBad write in an @MSNBC op-ed.
October 23, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Our new report gives the U.S. the highest marks for AI policies that respect freedom of expression. But that lead is fragile, @JMchangama and @JordiCalBad write in an @MSNBC op-ed.
Reposted by The Future of Free Speech
The timing of Dabhoiwala’s criticism of U.S. Free Speech Exceptionalism could not be more ironic as the Trump admin targets progressive ideologies, institutions, and individuals. A stark reminder that free speech, properly understood and robustly defended, benefits us all.
October 21, 2025 at 7:02 PM
The timing of Dabhoiwala’s criticism of U.S. Free Speech Exceptionalism could not be more ironic as the Trump admin targets progressive ideologies, institutions, and individuals. A stark reminder that free speech, properly understood and robustly defended, benefits us all.
Reposted by The Future of Free Speech
My review argues that Dabhoiwala ignores how free speech, for all its flaws, has been a genuine engine of emancipation—not a cynical cover for power.
October 21, 2025 at 7:02 PM
My review argues that Dabhoiwala ignores how free speech, for all its flaws, has been a genuine engine of emancipation—not a cynical cover for power.
Reposted by The Future of Free Speech
In @foreignaffairs.com, I review Fara Dabhoiwala’s "What Is Free Speech? The History of a Dangerous Idea"—a book that treats the First Amendment as chiefly benefiting “propertied white men” and Europe's “balanced” approach as virtuous.
October 21, 2025 at 7:02 PM
In @foreignaffairs.com, I review Fara Dabhoiwala’s "What Is Free Speech? The History of a Dangerous Idea"—a book that treats the First Amendment as chiefly benefiting “propertied white men” and Europe's “balanced” approach as virtuous.
Is free speech dangerous to democracy? Has it been wielded as a “weaponized mantra” by those motivated by “greed, technological change, and political expediency?”
@mchangama.bsky.social reviews Fara Dabhoiwala’s “What Is Free Speech? The History of a Dangerous Idea” at @foreignaffairs.com
@mchangama.bsky.social reviews Fara Dabhoiwala’s “What Is Free Speech? The History of a Dangerous Idea” at @foreignaffairs.com
October 21, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Is free speech dangerous to democracy? Has it been wielded as a “weaponized mantra” by those motivated by “greed, technological change, and political expediency?”
@mchangama.bsky.social reviews Fara Dabhoiwala’s “What Is Free Speech? The History of a Dangerous Idea” at @foreignaffairs.com
@mchangama.bsky.social reviews Fara Dabhoiwala’s “What Is Free Speech? The History of a Dangerous Idea” at @foreignaffairs.com
🔎 In a new report, we asked 8 major AI chatbots to generate content about lawful but controversial issues.
🤖 Find out how your favorite AI chatbot ranks when it comes to its “free speech culture.”
🤖 Find out how your favorite AI chatbot ranks when it comes to its “free speech culture.”
October 21, 2025 at 2:26 PM
🔎 In a new report, we asked 8 major AI chatbots to generate content about lawful but controversial issues.
🤖 Find out how your favorite AI chatbot ranks when it comes to its “free speech culture.”
🤖 Find out how your favorite AI chatbot ranks when it comes to its “free speech culture.”
🚨 NEW REPORT
🤖 We asked 8 major AI chatbots to generate content about lawful, but controversial issues.
We then scored and ranked each chatbot, factoring in company policies, model behavior, transparency, and openness to debate.
🤖 We asked 8 major AI chatbots to generate content about lawful, but controversial issues.
We then scored and ranked each chatbot, factoring in company policies, model behavior, transparency, and openness to debate.
October 17, 2025 at 2:05 PM
🚨 NEW REPORT
🤖 We asked 8 major AI chatbots to generate content about lawful, but controversial issues.
We then scored and ranked each chatbot, factoring in company policies, model behavior, transparency, and openness to debate.
🤖 We asked 8 major AI chatbots to generate content about lawful, but controversial issues.
We then scored and ranked each chatbot, factoring in company policies, model behavior, transparency, and openness to debate.
A U.K. appeals court tossed the conviction of a man who burned a Quran in London. But there's still plenty more threats to free speech in this week's Free Flow.
🔗 Check it out here: https://www.bedrockprinciple.com/p/us-revokes-six-visas-over-kirk-comments
🔗 Check it out here: https://www.bedrockprinciple.com/p/us-revokes-six-visas-over-kirk-comments
October 16, 2025 at 4:06 PM
A U.K. appeals court tossed the conviction of a man who burned a Quran in London. But there's still plenty more threats to free speech in this week's Free Flow.
🔗 Check it out here: https://www.bedrockprinciple.com/p/us-revokes-six-visas-over-kirk-comments
🔗 Check it out here: https://www.bedrockprinciple.com/p/us-revokes-six-visas-over-kirk-comments
Why does the European Court of Human Rights treat some genocide denial cases differently from others? At her book launch with @cgfoe.bsky.social, @nataliealkiviadou.bsky.social explains why this matters. 📚
October 15, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Why does the European Court of Human Rights treat some genocide denial cases differently from others? At her book launch with @cgfoe.bsky.social, @nataliealkiviadou.bsky.social explains why this matters. 📚
Hate speech laws might be well-intentioned, but at her book launch with @cgfoe.bsky.social, @nataliealkiviadou.bsky.social points out how they have and continue to be weaponized against the people they aim to protect.
October 14, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Hate speech laws might be well-intentioned, but at her book launch with @cgfoe.bsky.social, @nataliealkiviadou.bsky.social points out how they have and continue to be weaponized against the people they aim to protect.
Reposted by The Future of Free Speech
I also explained how today’s attacks on expression echo past attempts to silence dissent.
Free speech isn’t about who controls the reins of power. It’s the foundation of liberty itself.
Read the full piece at @cnn.com: www.cnn.com/2025/10/11/p...
Free speech isn’t about who controls the reins of power. It’s the foundation of liberty itself.
Read the full piece at @cnn.com: www.cnn.com/2025/10/11/p...
Analysis: Trump’s free speech backflip was 250 years in the making | CNN Politics
Trump’s complete turnabout on speech is indicative of the contradictions and ironies in the bedrock principle of the American liberties in the Bill of Rights and the First Amendment.
www.cnn.com
October 11, 2025 at 6:09 PM
I also explained how today’s attacks on expression echo past attempts to silence dissent.
Free speech isn’t about who controls the reins of power. It’s the foundation of liberty itself.
Read the full piece at @cnn.com: www.cnn.com/2025/10/11/p...
Free speech isn’t about who controls the reins of power. It’s the foundation of liberty itself.
Read the full piece at @cnn.com: www.cnn.com/2025/10/11/p...