So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast
@freespeechtalk • 2,253 subscribers
Take an uncensored look at the world of free expression through personal stories and candid conversations. Created by @TheFIREorg. Hosted by @nicoperrino.
Videos
The UK’s Ofcom regulator has given 4Chan until tomorrow, July 9th to pay their £594,000 ($793,878 USD) fine But how did the UK government end up in a legal battle with 4Chan on American soil? Preston Byrne said they look for backdoor ways to censor internet users:
So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast29,981 views • 1 month ago
Ep. 267: Social media = cigarettes? In March, juries in California and New Mexico delivered seminal verdicts holding Meta and YouTube liable for failing to protect young users from harm. Both verdicts found that the companies were negligent in the design or operation of their platforms and that each company knew their platforms could be dangerous when used by a minor. The courts found that the design elements of the platforms could be separated from the content hosted on the platforms, thus removing the need to consider the First Amendment or Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. CEO & founder of techdirt & The Copia Institute Mike Masnick joins FIRE's Nico Perrino to break down the rulings and their possible free speech implications. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 02:29 Why these verdicts scare the hell out of Mike 10:34 Are social media algorithms “addictive”? 21:45 Did Meta fail to protect kids? 30:37 The First Amendment and Section 230 43:13 Is social media the new Big Tobacco? 55:15 The role of parents in social media use 59:04: Outro Enjoy listening to the podcast? Donate to FIRE today and get exclusive content like member webinars, special episodes, and more. If you became a FIRE Member through a donation to FIRE at and would like access to Substack’s paid subscriber podcast feed, please email [email protected].
So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast19,086 views • 5 months ago
New episode: Pam Bondi says hate speech is not free speech — is she right? FIRE staff (Nico Perrino, Sarah McLaughlin, & Aaron Terr) also take your questions on Charlie Kirk's assassination, President Trump's lawsuit against The New York Times, cancel culture, and more. 00:00 Intro 01:42 Attorney General Pam Bondi's comments that "hate speech" is distinct from "free speech" 02:23 Is it OK for the Department of Justice to target people for "hate speech"? 05:42 How have “hate speech” laws played out overseas? 07:19 President Trump's response to Pam Bondi's “hate speech” remarks 08:50 Are “fighting words,” “incitement,” and “true threats” free speech? 11:22 What about doxxing? 15:15 Is it free speech to celebrate or condone the assassination of Charlie Kirk? 21:52 The termination of k-12 and university faculty in response to their commentary on Kirk's assassination 28:40 Is there a law that might implicate the Discord users who had reason to be aware of malicious intentions the shooter had towards Kirk ahead of the assassination? 30:05 The agency of speakers and those hearing their speech under the incitement standard 31:14 What are the differences between the free speech rights of citizens and non-citizens? 36:20 Does a court filing by President Trump as an individual in the New York Times lawsuit open him up to being deposed about a wide range of behaviors and actions? 37:40 What is the Trump's administration's legal strategy with the New York Times lawsuit? 39:24 What is FIRE doing about private employees being fired for their political commentary? 46:50 What is Charlie Kirk's legacy on free speech? 50:04 What is the difference between the academic protections enjoyed by tenured and non-tenured faculty members? 52:05 Does FIRE trust the Supreme Court to protect free speech? 56:12 How can we prevent capitulation from The New York Times? 59:20 How can ordinary people safely express their opinions on social media and promote civil discourse?
So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast31,314 views • 11 months ago
Ep. 256: Ten arguments against free speech Greg Lukianoff and Nadine Strossen join Nico Perrino to discuss ten common arguments against free speech and why they fail. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:18 Book’s origins 04:25 Argument #1: Words are violence 20:27 Argument #2: Words are dangerous 25:09 Argument #3: Hate speech isn’t free speech 31:06 Argument #4: About shoutdowns 37:18 Argument #5: Free speech is outdated 45:41 Argument #6 Free speech is right-wing 50:14 Argument #7: About the crowded theater and marketplace of ideas 59:27 Argument #9: Misinformation and disinformation 01:03:53 Argument #8: Free speech protects power 01:09:30 Argument #10: About the Holocaust and Rwandan genocide 01:13:35 Outro
So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast15,660 views • 10 months ago
Ep. 262: Escaping Iran Recent protests in Iran have drawn renewed attention to dissent under the country’s authoritarian government. The demonstrations have been met with mass arrests, internet restrictions, and even accusations of murder. While large-scale demonstrations appear to have subsided for now, reporting from Iran describes a tense calm, a heightened security presence, and widespread “disappointment and disillusionment” among Iranians. FIRE's Nico Perrino sat down with Pouya Nikmand, an Iranian-born writer who escaped Iran at 18. He writes about how his experiences have shaped his understanding of expression, freedom, and belonging on his Substack, Outliving Iran. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 02:17 What’s happening in Iran now? 10:47 What does life look like under an authoritarian regime? 20:33 Growing up in Iran 24:48 The influence of Western media in Iran 32:55 Escaping Iran 37:05 Life after escape 40:55 Being trafficked to Poland 54:45 Escaping captivity and coming to America 01:01:53 An immigrant’s perspective on US immigration 1:07:24 Outro
So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast11,745 views • 7 months ago
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