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
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
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.
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.
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.”
How did your favorite AI chatbot rank when it comes to its “free speech culture”?
To find out how we evaluated and ranked each chatbot, read the full report here: futurefreespeech.org/that-violate...
To find out how we evaluated and ranked each chatbot, read the full report here: futurefreespeech.org/that-violate...
October 17, 2025 at 2:05 PM
How did your favorite AI chatbot rank when it comes to its “free speech culture”?
To find out how we evaluated and ranked each chatbot, read the full report here: futurefreespeech.org/that-violate...
To find out how we evaluated and ranked each chatbot, read the full report here: futurefreespeech.org/that-violate...
🚨 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.
"Mchangama, on the other hand, hopes the American left will look at the Trump administration today and dial back on efforts to control speech.
"'Power changes hands,' @mchangama.bsky.social said."
"'Power changes hands,' @mchangama.bsky.social said."
October 11, 2025 at 5:27 PM
"Mchangama, on the other hand, hopes the American left will look at the Trump administration today and dial back on efforts to control speech.
"'Power changes hands,' @mchangama.bsky.social said."
"'Power changes hands,' @mchangama.bsky.social said."
🗣️ NASHVILLE − There's turmoil over the state of free speech in America.
The issue took center stage as free speech advocates, lawyers and experts from around the world convened recently at Vanderbilt University in Nashville.
#FreeSpeechSummit2025
The issue took center stage as free speech advocates, lawyers and experts from around the world convened recently at Vanderbilt University in Nashville.
#FreeSpeechSummit2025
October 10, 2025 at 2:35 PM
🗣️ NASHVILLE − There's turmoil over the state of free speech in America.
The issue took center stage as free speech advocates, lawyers and experts from around the world convened recently at Vanderbilt University in Nashville.
#FreeSpeechSummit2025
The issue took center stage as free speech advocates, lawyers and experts from around the world convened recently at Vanderbilt University in Nashville.
#FreeSpeechSummit2025
The Trump administration and the FCC have ramped up threats to broadcasters and media outlets.
How does Jimmy Kimmel's suspension impact free speech in America going forward?
How does Jimmy Kimmel's suspension impact free speech in America going forward?
October 9, 2025 at 8:31 PM
The Trump administration and the FCC have ramped up threats to broadcasters and media outlets.
How does Jimmy Kimmel's suspension impact free speech in America going forward?
How does Jimmy Kimmel's suspension impact free speech in America going forward?
More crackdowns on protests? Tightening grips on who can use social media? Threats to free speech are happening in almost every hemisphere, and we've got it covered.
🔗 Check out the Free Flow at: https://www.bedrockprinciple.com/p/denmark-proposes-youth-social-media
🔗 Check out the Free Flow at: https://www.bedrockprinciple.com/p/denmark-proposes-youth-social-media
October 9, 2025 at 7:34 PM
More crackdowns on protests? Tightening grips on who can use social media? Threats to free speech are happening in almost every hemisphere, and we've got it covered.
🔗 Check out the Free Flow at: https://www.bedrockprinciple.com/p/denmark-proposes-youth-social-media
🔗 Check out the Free Flow at: https://www.bedrockprinciple.com/p/denmark-proposes-youth-social-media
Governments around the world are trying to regulate AI, require labels, and even sanitize it — but we've been tracking the consequences for free speech.
🔗 Find out everything you need to know in September's .exe-pression newsletter: https://www.bedrockprinciple.com/p/exe-pression-september-2025
🔗 Find out everything you need to know in September's .exe-pression newsletter: https://www.bedrockprinciple.com/p/exe-pression-september-2025
October 8, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Governments around the world are trying to regulate AI, require labels, and even sanitize it — but we've been tracking the consequences for free speech.
🔗 Find out everything you need to know in September's .exe-pression newsletter: https://www.bedrockprinciple.com/p/exe-pression-september-2025
🔗 Find out everything you need to know in September's .exe-pression newsletter: https://www.bedrockprinciple.com/p/exe-pression-september-2025
Defending free speech can be hard, especially when you disagree with it.
But during the live recording of The Good Fight podcast at our #FreeSpeechSummit2025, @mchangama.bsky.social said calling out hypocrisy when it comes to free speech advocacy is crucial.
But during the live recording of The Good Fight podcast at our #FreeSpeechSummit2025, @mchangama.bsky.social said calling out hypocrisy when it comes to free speech advocacy is crucial.
October 7, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Defending free speech can be hard, especially when you disagree with it.
But during the live recording of The Good Fight podcast at our #FreeSpeechSummit2025, @mchangama.bsky.social said calling out hypocrisy when it comes to free speech advocacy is crucial.
But during the live recording of The Good Fight podcast at our #FreeSpeechSummit2025, @mchangama.bsky.social said calling out hypocrisy when it comes to free speech advocacy is crucial.
Can censoring an idea actually make it more likely to be heard?
At @bigthink.com's The Well, @mchangama.bsky.social explains why banning speech often backfires.
🔗 https://bigthink.com/the-well/how-censorship-provides-power/
At @bigthink.com's The Well, @mchangama.bsky.social explains why banning speech often backfires.
🔗 https://bigthink.com/the-well/how-censorship-provides-power/
October 6, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Can censoring an idea actually make it more likely to be heard?
At @bigthink.com's The Well, @mchangama.bsky.social explains why banning speech often backfires.
🔗 https://bigthink.com/the-well/how-censorship-provides-power/
At @bigthink.com's The Well, @mchangama.bsky.social explains why banning speech often backfires.
🔗 https://bigthink.com/the-well/how-censorship-provides-power/