Combining freedom and diversity: the challenge of religious difference
Legal philosopher Martha Nussbaum gave the 2013 Dahrendorf Lecture, exploring how to live with religious diversity.
When to be silent is to speak
Stephen Meili examines the contrasting UK and US treatment of people who refuse to declare a political allegiance.
I enjoyed the Book of Mormon musical. Now for the Book of Islam?
The Mormons reacted brilliantly to the musical satirising their faith, but something important is lost when we treat religions so differently - writes Katie Engelhart.
The ‘Brandenburg test’ for incitement to violence
In 1969, the U.S. Supreme Court made history by ruling that, to merit conviction, the violence advocated must be intended, likely and imminent. By Jeff Howard.
The Copyright Alert System: coming to a home near you?
The question of how best to respond to the unauthorised dissemination of copyright-protected expression over the internet has long troubled copyright owners. But the proposed solution of a Copyright Alert could potentially erode free speech, writes Graham Reynolds.
A right to lie about government?
In the landmark case of New York Times v Sullivan, in 1964, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that criticism of public officials must be protected, even if some of the claims were inaccurate. Jeff Howard explains.
The Future of Free Speech
Human Rights activist Aryeh Neier speaks about the future of free speech.
The Future of Free Speech
Aryeh Neier, human rights lawyer and president emeritus of the Open Society Foundations speaks about the future of free speech.
A sticky WCIT and the battle for control of the internet
At the World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT), authoritarian governments staked worrying claims. But the US-dominated model of non-governmental internet governance brings its own problems, writes Alison Powell. Beware of the Clinton Paradox.
Does freedom of expression give us a right to show videos of animals being crushed?
In 2010 president Barack Obama signed a law banning videos that depict animal cruelty. Judith Bruhn explores whether this is a justified restriction to freedom of expression.
Nothing Holy About Hatred? Not quite…
The online campaign Nothing Holy About Hatred takes a faith-based approach to combat homophobia. But, Brian Pellot argues, hatred is enshrined in many religious texts.
A university of less-than-liberal arts?
Should Yale University refuse to operate in Singapore where human rights and free expression face significant restrictions? Katie Engelhart weighs the arguments for and against.
Defending Islam and free speech
FSD's Katie Engelhart sat in on this Frontline Club debate to discuss controversy surrounding the YouTube video Innocence of Muslims.
Yahoo, free speech and anonymity in China
In 2002 Wang Xiaoning was sent to prison for 10 years after Yahoo passed on personal information Chinese authorities used to identify him. Judith Bruhn explores a case of conflicting laws and moral expectations.
Has Innocence of Muslims ended the innocence of YouTube?
Join us to debate the role internet platforms like YouTube should play in setting free speech agendas in your country, your language and across the world. Online editor Brian Pellot kicks off the discussion.
Amelia Andersdotter on ACTA’s demise and the internet’s future
The Swedish Pirate Party's outspoken MEP explains why the European Parliament overwhelmingly rejected the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement in July and discusses WCIT, the internet's next four-letter foe.
Teaching creationism in US schools
A new Tennessee law will permit teachers to discuss creationism alongside theories of evolution, writes Casey Selwyn.
Patriot Act and FISA without end?
How the Obama administration continues use of Bush-era powers to suppress legitimate debate about the needs of US national security. By Jeff Howard.
Julian Assange: a journalist?
In 2010, Wikileaks released its first tranche of classified US state department cables. If Julian Assange, founder of the whistle-blowing website, qualifies as a journalist then he would be protected under the first amendment, writes Katie Engelhart.
Does money have the right to speak?
The US supreme court's decision on Citizens United raises a vital issue: should corporations have the same free speech rights as individuals? Brian Pellot discusses the case.
The Stop Online Piracy Act
The Stop Online Piracy Act is currently being debated in the US house of representatives. Brian Pellot considers the potential consequences of the bill.
Article 19: freedom of expression anchored in international law
Jeff Howard explains what it means for a state to be a party to the ICCPR and how individuals can issue complaints about violations of free speech to the United Nations Human Rights Committee.
Tom Cruise sues South Park
Manav Bhushan and Casey Selwyn question whether it was right for Tom Cruise to threaten to sue US show South Park over an episode that depicted Scientology in a pejorative manner and blatantly hinted that he was gay.
The human microphone
The Occupy Wall Street movement adopted "the human microphone" in response to its lack of a permit for the use of amplified sound on public property in New York City. The human microphone embodies the pluralistic nature of the movement itself and serves to enhance its message, writes Casey Selwyn.
Dominique Strauss-Kahn’s “perp walk”
Was it right to make Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the former managing director of the IMF, do the "perp walk" after he was charged with sexually assaulting a hotel maid in New York? Clementine de Montjoye argues no.
