Should the First Amendment protect hate speech?
So to Speak: The Free Speech PodcastEp. 212
In America, hate speech is generally protected by the First Amendment. But should it be?
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression's mission is to defend and sustain the individual rights of all Americans to free speech and free thought — the most essential qualities of liberty. FIRE educates Americans about the importance of these inalienable rights, promotes a culture of respect for these rights, and provides the means to preserve them.
Freedom of speech is essential for democracy, scientific progress, artistic expression, social justice, peace, and our ability to live as authentic individuals.
Academic freedom allows college faculty to research and teach without fearing institutional punishment for expressing unpopular views or findings.
The right to due process means authorities must provide fair, unbiased, and equitable procedures when determining a person’s guilt or innocence.
Freedom of the press protects the ability of journalists, including student journalists, and news media to publish information free from official censorship.
Religious liberty is the right to follow the faith of your choice — or to follow no faith at all.
Freedom of conscience means the right to arrive at one’s private beliefs without being coerced by those who wield power over us.
Freedom of assembly is the right of individuals to come together to express shared ideas, and it is one of the rights expressly guaranteed by the First Amendment.
FIRE’s award-winning Newsdesk covers the free speech news you need to stay informed.
FIRE's 2024 College Free Speech Rankings are based on the voices of more than 55,000 students at 248 colleges and universities, and are designed to help parents and prospective students choose the right school.
Rank | School | Overall | Speech Code |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Michigan Technological University Public | 78/100 | Green |
2 | Auburn University Public | 72/100 | Green |
3 | University of New Hampshire Public | 72/100 | Green |
4 | Oregon State University Public | 71/100 | Green |
5 | Florida State University Public | 69/100 | Green |
6 | University of Virginia Public | 68/100 | Green |
7 | Texas A&M University - College Station Public | 67/100 | Green |
8 | George Mason University Public | 67/100 | Green |
9 | University of North Carolina - Greensboro Public | 67/100 | Green |
10 | University of Colorado Boulder Public | 66/100 | Green |
From the campus to the courtroom, FIRE is on the front lines fighting for your free speech rights.
FIRE’s team of experienced advocates has decades of experience protecting free speech both on and off college campuses. Learn more about how FIRE’s experts can help you.
Facing censorship or retaliation for protected speech? FIRE’s lawyers are here to help Americans whose free speech rights are violated.
FIRE’s signature defense program provides free, non-legal assistance to individuals whose fundamental civil liberties are violated, with a special focus on college students, professors, student media, and campus groups.
FIRE’s College Policy Reform team works to proactively and systematically challenge campus policies that violate the rights of students and faculty on campus.
FIRE advocates for individual rights at both the state and federal level by advocating on behalf of rights-protective legislation and against proposed laws that threaten student and faculty rights.
FIRE’s free speech curriculum helps educators enrich and supplement their existing instruction on First Amendment and freedom of expression issues in middle and high school classrooms.
FIRE monitors colleges and universities that maintain policies that sharply limit students’ speech rights abroad and raise questions about how academic institutions should handle conflicts between American expressive rights and repressive policies in other countries.
In America, hate speech is generally protected by the First Amendment. But should it be?
Every resident should have the freedom to express their thoughts about what happens in their community. Mayor Owens may not want to hear our feedback, but we have the right to speak up. Change doesn’t happen when people sit quietly.
Monique Owens, mayor of Eastpointe, Michigan, repeatedly interrupted and silenced Mary Hall-Rayford, a community activist, former chaplain, and school board member who attempted to speak at a city council meeting.
FIRE’s President and CEO Greg Lukianoff sits down with Oscar-nominated and Emmy-winning comedy legend John Cleese to discuss comedy, cancel culture, and the religious controversy around the 1979 comedy classic Life of Brian.
If you face retaliation over protected speech, or if you are a college student or faculty member whose First Amendment rights may have been violated on campus, reach out to FIRE to learn more about how we can protect your rights.
America’s colleges and universities have been engines of discovery and knowledge, but many institutions have strayed from their core missions. As colleges and universities look to regain trust, their leaders should recommit to their institutions’ core values. They can start with these 10 common-sense reforms.
Help us build a new free speech movement and promote a strong culture of free speech by supporting FIRE with a donation today. Please join us in this important work!
In 2023, FIRE’s Policy Reform team won 43 victories at 22 schools affecting more than 215,000 students.
Since 1999, FIRE has amassed more than 650 victories defending student and faculty rights on more than 300 campuses nationwide.
In 2023, FIRE vetted nearly 2,400 case submissions involving individuals and groups who said their rights were threatened.
In 2023 alone, FIRE’s Campus Rights Advocacy team won 109 campus victories on behalf of students, faculty, and student groups whose rights were violated.
Free speech is under threat on college campuses. Here’s how you can make a difference.
The FIRE Student Network is a coalition of students who recognize the importance of advancing civil liberties on their campuses.
The FIRE Faculty Network is a coalition of faculty supporters interested in promoting and defending free expression and academic freedom at their institutions.
Join a community of invested alumni from various colleges who are learning and growing together while pursuing change at their alma mater.
Join the next generation of free speech leaders for the inaugural FIRE Free Speech Leadership Summit in Philadelphia from June 23 to 29. The summit is a free, week-long summer program for college-bound rising 9th through 12th graders who are interested in free speech. Students will gain a thorough understanding of free speech, including what it is, why it’s important, and how it empowers all of us to solve real-world problems and achieve our full potential.
Learn more about how FIRE advocates for your rights.
Subscribe to FIRE updates to get the latest free speech news in your inbox as it happens!