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Ask an Expert: Free Speech


In today’s world — whether in classrooms or on social media platforms — many people are conflicted and confused by what actually constitutes free speech. That’s why we figured now would be an excellent time to talk about it. We sourced questions over email, our phone line, and social media, and received hundreds of responses from our audience.

After sorting through the questions, we produced a three-part “Ask an Expert” series on our At Liberty podcast channel featuring the ACLU’s Director of Speech, Privacy, and Technology and legal advisor to Edward Snowden, Ben Wizner. Listen below as Ben answers supporter questions about the First Amendment.

Red background with a mic and "Ask the Expert: Free Speech Edition" words in blue and yellow

Episode 1: What Is Free Speech? 

Here, we get back to the basics with Free Speech 101, addressing hate speech, misinformation, government regulation of corporate speech, cancel culture, and why we defend free speech.

Episode 1: What Is Free Speech?
Red background with a mic and "Ask the Expert: Free Speech Edition" words in blue and yellow

Episode 2: Is My Tweet Protected Speech?  

What are the rights of social media platforms to control speech online? How are platforms different from a newspaper or a public square? What are my individual rights to post online?

Episode 2: Is My Tweet Protected Speech?
Red background with a mic and "Ask the Expert: Free Speech Edition" words in blue and yellow

Episode 3: What are My Speech Rights at School?  

Can schools ban books or remove them from their library without warning or review? What are my rights as a student to fight for my right to learn? The Supreme Court addressed student speech online — remind me what happened?

Episode 3: What are My Speech Rights at School?

The ACLU remains committed to defending our fundamental right to free speech. Most recently, the ACLU’s Speech, Privacy, and Technology team has been working to fight against classroom censorship bills and book bans taking hold in classrooms and libraries nationwide, to defend our right to freedom of expression online, and to support our First Amendment right at the Supreme Court, among other work.

For more from our Ask an Expert series and weekly episodes on today’s most pressing civil rights and civil liberties issues, subscribe to At Liberty wherever you get your podcasts.

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