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)


"President Donald J. Trump v. J. Ann Selzer, Selzer &
Company, Des Moines Register and Tribune company, and Gannett
Co., Inc.” (2024)


“Trump v. American Broadcasting Companies, Inc.” (2024)


“New Jersey slaps down censorship with anti-SLAPP legislation”
FIRE (2023)


“FIRE defends Idaho conservation officer sued for criticizing
wealthy ranch owner’s airstrip permit” FIRE (2023)


“On Liberty” John Stuart Mill (1859)


“Home Depot cashier fired over Facebook comment about Trump
shooting” Newsweek (2024)


“Free speech culture, Elon Musk, and Twitter” FIRE (2022)


“Questions ABC News should answer following the $16 million Trump
settlement” Columbia Journalism Review (2024)


“Appellants’ opening brief — B.A., et al. v. Tri County Area
Schools, et al.” FIRE (2024)
Transcript is here