HistoryExtra podcast The 300-year battle over free speech
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Jul 29, 2025 
Fara Dabhoiwala, a historian and author focused on the history of free speech, delves into the centuries-long evolution of this crucial concept. She discusses how the origins of free speech are rooted in surprising places, like Scandinavian kingdoms, and contrasts American and French approaches to expression. The conversation highlights the complexities of free speech in the digital age, stressing the need for accountability among social media giants while navigating individual rights and societal good.
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Birth of Modern Free Speech
- Modern free speech emerged around 1700 alongside a media revolution triggered by the end of print licensing in England.
- This new liberty of the press became a partisan political tool amid emerging political parties like the Whigs and Tories.
Cato's Letters and Free Speech
- John Trenchard and Thomas Gordon wrote Cato's Letters, proposing the first full theory of political free speech in 1721.
- They were mercenary journalists who switched political sides for profit, yet their writings deeply influenced political free speech ideas.
Scandinavian Free Speech Laws
- The first free speech laws were enacted in Scandinavian kingdoms, inspired by enlightened absolutists.
- These laws balanced freedom of expression with strict limits on religion, slander, and political misinformation.
