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
What do reactions to Charlie Kirk and George Floyd have in common?
At the #FreeSpeechSummit2025, participants discussed how death has been used across the aisle to shape political narratives and drive change.
🔗 Watch the full conversation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROyL9_SQBsE
At the #FreeSpeechSummit2025, participants discussed how death has been used across the aisle to shape political narratives and drive change.
🔗 Watch the full conversation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROyL9_SQBsE
January 8, 2026 at 4:04 PM
What do reactions to Charlie Kirk and George Floyd have in common?
At the #FreeSpeechSummit2025, participants discussed how death has been used across the aisle to shape political narratives and drive change.
🔗 Watch the full conversation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROyL9_SQBsE
At the #FreeSpeechSummit2025, participants discussed how death has been used across the aisle to shape political narratives and drive change.
🔗 Watch the full conversation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROyL9_SQBsE
Is Charlie Kirk the Right’s George Floyd?
At #FreeSpeechSummit2025, Michael Moynihan tells Peter Boghossian that any form of political martyrdom is dangerous.
🔗 Find out what else emerged in a guided conversation between experts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROyL9_SQBsE
At #FreeSpeechSummit2025, Michael Moynihan tells Peter Boghossian that any form of political martyrdom is dangerous.
🔗 Find out what else emerged in a guided conversation between experts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROyL9_SQBsE
January 7, 2026 at 7:02 PM
Is Charlie Kirk the Right’s George Floyd?
At #FreeSpeechSummit2025, Michael Moynihan tells Peter Boghossian that any form of political martyrdom is dangerous.
🔗 Find out what else emerged in a guided conversation between experts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROyL9_SQBsE
At #FreeSpeechSummit2025, Michael Moynihan tells Peter Boghossian that any form of political martyrdom is dangerous.
🔗 Find out what else emerged in a guided conversation between experts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROyL9_SQBsE
Is social punishment worse than being fired by the government for your speech? Are both forms of “cancelling”?
Peter Boghossian talked with experts at our #FreeSpeechSummit2025 about the threats to free expression in America.
Peter Boghossian talked with experts at our #FreeSpeechSummit2025 about the threats to free expression in America.
January 7, 2026 at 3:46 PM
Is social punishment worse than being fired by the government for your speech? Are both forms of “cancelling”?
Peter Boghossian talked with experts at our #FreeSpeechSummit2025 about the threats to free expression in America.
Peter Boghossian talked with experts at our #FreeSpeechSummit2025 about the threats to free expression in America.
Baruch Spinoza bravely defended free speech as a condition for peace and progress.
In Part II of his critique, @mchangama.bsky.social argues Fara Dabhoiwala's narrative obscures that history— and silences the people who paid a heavy price to advocate for the freedom he seems to take for granted.
In Part II of his critique, @mchangama.bsky.social argues Fara Dabhoiwala's narrative obscures that history— and silences the people who paid a heavy price to advocate for the freedom he seems to take for granted.
January 6, 2026 at 4:27 PM
Baruch Spinoza bravely defended free speech as a condition for peace and progress.
In Part II of his critique, @mchangama.bsky.social argues Fara Dabhoiwala's narrative obscures that history— and silences the people who paid a heavy price to advocate for the freedom he seems to take for granted.
In Part II of his critique, @mchangama.bsky.social argues Fara Dabhoiwala's narrative obscures that history— and silences the people who paid a heavy price to advocate for the freedom he seems to take for granted.
Free speech advocates had a busy 2025, to say the least. But more battles are ahead.
@ashkhen.bsky.social spoke with the Tallahassee Democrat about key First Amendment fights to expect in 2026— from proposed algorithm regulations to the speech rights of non-citizen students.
@ashkhen.bsky.social spoke with the Tallahassee Democrat about key First Amendment fights to expect in 2026— from proposed algorithm regulations to the speech rights of non-citizen students.
January 5, 2026 at 10:23 PM
Free speech advocates had a busy 2025, to say the least. But more battles are ahead.
@ashkhen.bsky.social spoke with the Tallahassee Democrat about key First Amendment fights to expect in 2026— from proposed algorithm regulations to the speech rights of non-citizen students.
@ashkhen.bsky.social spoke with the Tallahassee Democrat about key First Amendment fights to expect in 2026— from proposed algorithm regulations to the speech rights of non-citizen students.
The AI race isn’t just about building powerful models—it’s about who sets the rules that govern them.
At @lawfaremedia.org, @jordicalbad.bsky.social and @mchangama.bsky.social warn that China is pushing to shape global AI governance as democracies' commitments to free speech in AI are weakening.
At @lawfaremedia.org, @jordicalbad.bsky.social and @mchangama.bsky.social warn that China is pushing to shape global AI governance as democracies' commitments to free speech in AI are weakening.
January 2, 2026 at 9:17 PM
The AI race isn’t just about building powerful models—it’s about who sets the rules that govern them.
At @lawfaremedia.org, @jordicalbad.bsky.social and @mchangama.bsky.social warn that China is pushing to shape global AI governance as democracies' commitments to free speech in AI are weakening.
At @lawfaremedia.org, @jordicalbad.bsky.social and @mchangama.bsky.social warn that China is pushing to shape global AI governance as democracies' commitments to free speech in AI are weakening.
The First Amendment protects AI chatbots against overt government censorship— but what if you could see the U.S. government’s requests to filter or modify outputs? Would AI still be a reliable tool for discourse and debate?
January 2, 2026 at 7:28 PM
The First Amendment protects AI chatbots against overt government censorship— but what if you could see the U.S. government’s requests to filter or modify outputs? Would AI still be a reliable tool for discourse and debate?
Accuracy and truth in AI chatbots matter. But would you rather challenge a chatbot’s mistakes, or accept one where governments decide which truths can be shared?
At The Ripon Forum, our research shows governments are already making that choice.
At The Ripon Forum, our research shows governments are already making that choice.
December 23, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Accuracy and truth in AI chatbots matter. But would you rather challenge a chatbot’s mistakes, or accept one where governments decide which truths can be shared?
At The Ripon Forum, our research shows governments are already making that choice.
At The Ripon Forum, our research shows governments are already making that choice.
We take hate speech and disinformation seriously. But censorship isn't the solution — you are.
That's why we've created our counterspeech toolkit, now available in 10 languages, including Turkish.
That's why we've created our counterspeech toolkit, now available in 10 languages, including Turkish.
December 22, 2025 at 9:31 PM
We take hate speech and disinformation seriously. But censorship isn't the solution — you are.
That's why we've created our counterspeech toolkit, now available in 10 languages, including Turkish.
That's why we've created our counterspeech toolkit, now available in 10 languages, including Turkish.
We want to thank you for making this year the most productive in our organization’s history. With your support, we produced timely work that brought clarity amid mounting pressure on free speech.
But the threats to free speech are accelerating—and your continued support matters now more than ever.
But the threats to free speech are accelerating—and your continued support matters now more than ever.
December 22, 2025 at 7:34 PM
We want to thank you for making this year the most productive in our organization’s history. With your support, we produced timely work that brought clarity amid mounting pressure on free speech.
But the threats to free speech are accelerating—and your continued support matters now more than ever.
But the threats to free speech are accelerating—and your continued support matters now more than ever.
AI regulation is accelerating worldwide—and so are the risks to free expression. Our .exe-pression newsletter breaks down the most important AI governance developments from the past two months and what they mean for speech.
December 19, 2025 at 5:09 PM
AI regulation is accelerating worldwide—and so are the risks to free expression. Our .exe-pression newsletter breaks down the most important AI governance developments from the past two months and what they mean for speech.
Legislative changes and court decisions around the world are changing the boundaries of what we can and can't say. We've gathered all the latest developments in this week's Free Flow newsletter.
December 19, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Legislative changes and court decisions around the world are changing the boundaries of what we can and can't say. We've gathered all the latest developments in this week's Free Flow newsletter.
Reposted by The Future of Free Speech
From firings triggered by online outrage to government jawboning, this wide-ranging discussion is thoughtful, sharp, and essential for anyone who wants to defend free speech.
SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube for more videos from our 2025 Summit: www.youtube.com/@FutureFreeS...
SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube for more videos from our 2025 Summit: www.youtube.com/@FutureFreeS...
The Future of Free Speech
The Future of Free Speech is an independent, non-partisan think tank located at Vanderbilt University. We work to restore a resilient global culture of free speech in the digital age through knowledge...
www.youtube.com
December 11, 2025 at 9:13 PM
From firings triggered by online outrage to government jawboning, this wide-ranging discussion is thoughtful, sharp, and essential for anyone who wants to defend free speech.
SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube for more videos from our 2025 Summit: www.youtube.com/@FutureFreeS...
SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube for more videos from our 2025 Summit: www.youtube.com/@FutureFreeS...
Reposted by The Future of Free Speech
ICYM our #FreeSpeechSummit2025, here’s a standout session.
In a live recording of Advisory Opinions, @davidfrenchjag.bsky.social and Sarah Isgur dig into some of the biggest First Amendment battles unfolding in America. youtu.be/aEDJyyc8LVY?...
In a live recording of Advisory Opinions, @davidfrenchjag.bsky.social and Sarah Isgur dig into some of the biggest First Amendment battles unfolding in America. youtu.be/aEDJyyc8LVY?...
Is Security The New Excuse To Silence Speech? | Advisory Opinions Live ft. Sarah Isgur, David French
YouTube video by The Future of Free Speech
youtu.be
December 11, 2025 at 9:13 PM
ICYM our #FreeSpeechSummit2025, here’s a standout session.
In a live recording of Advisory Opinions, @davidfrenchjag.bsky.social and Sarah Isgur dig into some of the biggest First Amendment battles unfolding in America. youtu.be/aEDJyyc8LVY?...
In a live recording of Advisory Opinions, @davidfrenchjag.bsky.social and Sarah Isgur dig into some of the biggest First Amendment battles unfolding in America. youtu.be/aEDJyyc8LVY?...
The U.S.—once the world’s leading defender of free expression—is pulling back from that role just as censorship models are spreading globally.
🚨 In light of #HumanRightsDay, @mchangama.bsky.social reflects on what such a retreat means for global free speech.
🚨 In light of #HumanRightsDay, @mchangama.bsky.social reflects on what such a retreat means for global free speech.
December 11, 2025 at 9:01 PM
The U.S.—once the world’s leading defender of free expression—is pulling back from that role just as censorship models are spreading globally.
🚨 In light of #HumanRightsDay, @mchangama.bsky.social reflects on what such a retreat means for global free speech.
🚨 In light of #HumanRightsDay, @mchangama.bsky.social reflects on what such a retreat means for global free speech.
AI companies talk a lot about reducing bias, but our new AI report shows they’re missing a key part of free expression.
Chatbots are more willing to answer sensitive questions, but they're avoiding generating certain viewpoints.
Chatbots are more willing to answer sensitive questions, but they're avoiding generating certain viewpoints.
December 11, 2025 at 6:12 PM
AI companies talk a lot about reducing bias, but our new AI report shows they’re missing a key part of free expression.
Chatbots are more willing to answer sensitive questions, but they're avoiding generating certain viewpoints.
Chatbots are more willing to answer sensitive questions, but they're avoiding generating certain viewpoints.
Restrictions, bans, and penalties on digital freedoms are happening all around the world. Whether it's Russia or Australia, countries are taking steps to control our online world — and we've been keeping track.
December 11, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Restrictions, bans, and penalties on digital freedoms are happening all around the world. Whether it's Russia or Australia, countries are taking steps to control our online world — and we've been keeping track.
Reposted by The Future of Free Speech
We have a new article in DigiCon. As generative AI becomes a central gateway to information, we examine the freedom-of-expression practices of leading chatbots such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Llama.
December 11, 2025 at 8:47 AM
We have a new article in DigiCon. As generative AI becomes a central gateway to information, we examine the freedom-of-expression practices of leading chatbots such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Llama.
The White House has launched a searchable webpage targeting journalists whose coverage it deems unfavorable—another addition to its growing list of attacks on the press.
@mchangama.bsky.social told The Tennessean that these alarming threats to press freedom have become routine:
@mchangama.bsky.social told The Tennessean that these alarming threats to press freedom have become routine:
December 8, 2025 at 5:45 PM
The White House has launched a searchable webpage targeting journalists whose coverage it deems unfavorable—another addition to its growing list of attacks on the press.
@mchangama.bsky.social told The Tennessean that these alarming threats to press freedom have become routine:
@mchangama.bsky.social told The Tennessean that these alarming threats to press freedom have become routine:
Europe has been steadily expanding its arsenal against extremism.
But @mchangama.bsky.social warns in the IPG Journal that those very defenses are increasingly silencing debate, dissent, and open discourse — the lifeblood of any democracy.
But @mchangama.bsky.social warns in the IPG Journal that those very defenses are increasingly silencing debate, dissent, and open discourse — the lifeblood of any democracy.
December 5, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Europe has been steadily expanding its arsenal against extremism.
But @mchangama.bsky.social warns in the IPG Journal that those very defenses are increasingly silencing debate, dissent, and open discourse — the lifeblood of any democracy.
But @mchangama.bsky.social warns in the IPG Journal that those very defenses are increasingly silencing debate, dissent, and open discourse — the lifeblood of any democracy.
It's easy to take free speech for granted. But our team has been asking the hard-hitting questions about censorship, and we've got answers.
🔗 Don't be silent about attacks on democracy. Find out what you need to know on our Substack: https://www.bedrockprinciple.com/
🔗 Don't be silent about attacks on democracy. Find out what you need to know on our Substack: https://www.bedrockprinciple.com/
December 5, 2025 at 7:10 PM
It's easy to take free speech for granted. But our team has been asking the hard-hitting questions about censorship, and we've got answers.
🔗 Don't be silent about attacks on democracy. Find out what you need to know on our Substack: https://www.bedrockprinciple.com/
🔗 Don't be silent about attacks on democracy. Find out what you need to know on our Substack: https://www.bedrockprinciple.com/
Discourse drives change. Without it, we stay divided.
History shows that civil rights leaders knew that reconciliation demands understanding, even in disagreement.
History shows that civil rights leaders knew that reconciliation demands understanding, even in disagreement.
December 5, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Discourse drives change. Without it, we stay divided.
History shows that civil rights leaders knew that reconciliation demands understanding, even in disagreement.
History shows that civil rights leaders knew that reconciliation demands understanding, even in disagreement.
If we ignore social media crackdowns now, we risk waking up in a world where our posts, searches, and even the apps we use are controlled.
That’s why we’re tracking every attempt to restrict online speech in our Free Flow newsletter.
That’s why we’re tracking every attempt to restrict online speech in our Free Flow newsletter.
December 4, 2025 at 8:33 PM
If we ignore social media crackdowns now, we risk waking up in a world where our posts, searches, and even the apps we use are controlled.
That’s why we’re tracking every attempt to restrict online speech in our Free Flow newsletter.
That’s why we’re tracking every attempt to restrict online speech in our Free Flow newsletter.
How can we heal polarization?
At the #FreeSpeechSummit2025, John Wood Jr. explains we don’t just need civility — we need humanity.
🔗 Watch the full panel on YouTube: https://youtu.be/aPMAhgIxf4w
At the #FreeSpeechSummit2025, John Wood Jr. explains we don’t just need civility — we need humanity.
🔗 Watch the full panel on YouTube: https://youtu.be/aPMAhgIxf4w
December 4, 2025 at 4:59 PM
How can we heal polarization?
At the #FreeSpeechSummit2025, John Wood Jr. explains we don’t just need civility — we need humanity.
🔗 Watch the full panel on YouTube: https://youtu.be/aPMAhgIxf4w
At the #FreeSpeechSummit2025, John Wood Jr. explains we don’t just need civility — we need humanity.
🔗 Watch the full panel on YouTube: https://youtu.be/aPMAhgIxf4w
What happens when we value disagreement more than discourse?
John Wood Jr. explores how cancel culture, polarization, and a collapse of dialogue are threatening democracy at the #FreeSpeechSummit2025.
Watch the full conversation on YouTube: https://youtu.be/aPMAhgIxf4w
John Wood Jr. explores how cancel culture, polarization, and a collapse of dialogue are threatening democracy at the #FreeSpeechSummit2025.
Watch the full conversation on YouTube: https://youtu.be/aPMAhgIxf4w
December 3, 2025 at 8:54 PM
What happens when we value disagreement more than discourse?
John Wood Jr. explores how cancel culture, polarization, and a collapse of dialogue are threatening democracy at the #FreeSpeechSummit2025.
Watch the full conversation on YouTube: https://youtu.be/aPMAhgIxf4w
John Wood Jr. explores how cancel culture, polarization, and a collapse of dialogue are threatening democracy at the #FreeSpeechSummit2025.
Watch the full conversation on YouTube: https://youtu.be/aPMAhgIxf4w