Is Free Speech in Trouble? with Connor Murnane of FIRE

Dive into the fiery world of free speech in this episode featuring Connor Murnane, Campus Advocacy Chief of Staff at FIRE (the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression). Once focused solely on college campuses, FIRE expanded its mission in 2022 to champion free speech nationwide, tackling issues from K-12 book bans to citizen journalists’ rights. Murnane recounts iconic cases like the “Water Buffalo” incident and a student’s fight to distribute pocket Constitutions, exposing the absurdity of restrictive speech codes. Despite progress in campus policies, a troubling rise in student support for shout-downs and violence signals a cultural battle ahead. FIRE’s nonpartisan stance navigates a polarized landscape, defending everyone from Trump supporters to Satanists while facing accusations of bias. With new books like The War On Words: 10 Arguments Against Free Speech—And Why They Fail arming readers against anti-speech arguments, FIRE remains a beacon for liberty. Tune in to uncover why free speech is the bedrock of a free society—and what’s at stake if we lose it.

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