So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast Ep. 256: Ten arguments against free speech
Oct 30, 2025
Join Greg Lukianoff, president of FIRE and free speech advocate, along with Nadine Strossen, former ACLU president and legal scholar, as they dissect ten compelling arguments against free speech. They explore the notion that 'words are violence' and how it shapes campus discourse. The duo discusses the fine line between dangerous speech and censorship, and why free speech is vital for all viewpoints. They tackle the misuse of hate speech laws and the importance of adapting free speech principles to the digital age. Their insights are thought-provoking and essential.
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Apply The Emergency Principle Narrowly
- Use the 'emergency principle' to justify restrictions only when speech directly causes imminent, specific harm.
- Demand rigorous evidence before supporting censorship and prefer narrow, viewpoint-neutral limits.
Power Of Speech Justifies Protection
- Words are powerful and can stir strong emotions, which is precisely why society protects them.
- The power of speech is a reason for protection, not proof of an unlimited license to censor.
Hate Speech Laws Invite Subjective Censorship
- 'Hate speech' is inherently subjective and grants excessive discretion to enforcers.
- Nadine warns that hate-speech laws typically end up silencing marginalized or dissenting voices favored by those in power.
