Ep. 232: We answer your free speech questions

FIRE staffers take your questions on the TikTok ban, mandatory DEI statements, the Kids Online Safety Act, Trump vs. the media, and more.

Joining us:

• Ari Cohn, lead counsel for tech policy

• Robert Shibley, special counsel for campus advocacy

• Will Creeley, legal director

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Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

00:52 Donate to FIRE!

02:49 TikTok ban

10:01 Ari’s work as tech policy lead counsel

12:03 Mandatory DEI statements at universities

15:19 How does FIRE address forced speech?

18:17 Texas’ age verification law

24:35 Would government social media bans for minors be a First Amendment violation?

33:48 Online age verification

35:17 First Amendment violations while making public comments during city council/school board public meetings

37:25: Edison, New Jersey city council case

39:48 FIRE’s role in educating Americans

41:55 If social media addiction cannot be dealt with like drugs, how can it be dealt with?

43:34 “Pessimists Archive” Substack and moral panics

45:27 Trump and the media

51:23 Gary Gadwa case

52:49 How to distinguish the freedom of speech versus freedom from social consequences?

55:53 Free speech culture is a “mushy concept”

57:58 ABC settlement with Trump

01:01:27 Nico’s upcoming book!

01:02:32 FIRE and K-12 education

01:04:40 Outro

Show notes:

“TikTok Inc. and ByteDance LTD. v. Merrick B. Garland, in his official capacity as attorney general of the United States” (D.C. 2024)

“Opinion: The TikTok court case has staggering implications for free speech in America” L.A. Times (2024)

H.B. No. 1181 (Tex. 2023; Texas age-verification law)

“The Anxious Generation” Jonathan Haidt (2024)

S. 1409 - Kids Online Safety Act (2023-2024)

American Amusement MacH. Ass’n v. Kendrick (Ind. 2000)

“Edison Township, New Jersey: Town Council bans props, including the U.S. flag and Constitution, at council meetings” FIRE (2024)

“LAWSUIT: Arizona mom sues city after arrest for criticizing government lawyer’s pay” FIRE (2024)

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