The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), in partnership with College Pulse, has released the third annual College Free Speech Rankings,
ranking the speech climates of 203 of America’s largest campuses. I am
happy to report that my alma mater, the University of Chicago, took the
top position in protecting free speech. At the bottom of the list is
Columbia university. George Washington University does not fair well. It
is 171 out of 203 near the bottom of the ranking.
I have long praised UChicago for its courageous stand in favor of free speech at a time of rising intolerance for opposing views on our campuses. I also have praised Purdue University, which is ranked third after Kansas State University.
I have also been a critic of my other alma mater, Northwestern University, which has been equally prominent in its anti-free speech culture. Northwestern ranks 197 out of 203
We have been discussing how reporters, editors, commentators, and academics have embraced rising calls for censorship and speech controls, including President-elect Joe Biden and key advisers. This includes academics rejecting the very concept of objectivity in journalism in favor of open advocacy. Now, Columbia Journalism Dean and New Yorker writer Steve Coll
has denounced how the First Amendment right to freedom of speech was
being “weaponized” to protect disinformation. That’s right. A journalism
dean and writer declaring that the problem is that free speech itself
is allowing too much freedom on the Internet and other forums.
By Darren Smith, Weekend Contributor
After a high school senior chose to deviate from a pre-approved speech at an event and instead discussed allegations of bullying and assault at the school, administrators provided a learning opportunity of what bullying is really about–banning the student from his graduation walk.
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