The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie Defend Speech Even When Your Side Hates It
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Oct 1, 2025 Janine Younis, a civil liberties attorney and former public defender, talks about her pivotal lawsuits against the Biden administration, including Murthy v. Missouri, addressing social media censorship. She highlights the decline of free speech in America and the dangers posed by both political extremes. Younis passionately defends the First Amendment, asserting that all speech should be protected, even if it's controversial. She also discusses how government pressure can undermine free expression and emphasizes the need for constant vigilance in protecting civil liberties.
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Standing Ruling Narrowed Accountability
- The Supreme Court loss in Murthy centered on standing, not endorsement of the government's conduct.
- Younis warns that the standing ruling makes it harder to hold government accountable for covert interference.
Keep Government Out Of Content Moderation
- Younis urges the government to publish its views rather than pressuring platforms to remove speech.
- She recommends government refrain from injecting itself into content moderation decisions.
Truth Evolves; Government Mustn’t Gatekeep
- Younis stresses even false or unpopular speech can become truth later, so government must not police 'truth.'
- She cites historical and scientific reversals as reasons to protect minority views.
