In the digital age, free speech faces unprecedented threats—not just from authoritarian regimes, but from the algorithms and AI systems that govern online platforms. Once fought in physical spaces, the battlefield for free expression has moved online, where Big Tech and new digital regulations increasingly decide what we can and cannot say. In this talk […]
Watch: Listen: How does European free speech law differ from American free speech law, when it comes to “hate speech,” blasphemy, and misinformation? Jane Bambauer and Eugene Volokh welcome Jacob Mchangama, who is CEO of The Future of Free Speech; research professor of political science at Vanderbilt; the author of Free Speech: A History […]
In this TL;DR episode for Information Labs, Jacob Mchangama (The Future of Free Speech & Vanderbilt University) discusses the high rate of AI chatbot refusals to generate content for controversial prompts, examining how this may conflict with the principles of free speech and access to diverse information.
At the 39th annual Silha Lecture, Jacob Mchangama delves into the ongoing debates over speech restrictions, revealing how they mirror arguments of the past. Through five key lessons from history, he unpacks the complexities of free speech in the digital age, offering a nuanced perspective on the challenges we face today. Here are some excerpts […]
Jacob Mchangama joins Emily Jashinsky on UnHerd’s Undercurrents to discuss Elon Musk’s inconsistent record on free speech since acquiring Twitter (now known as X). Mchangama recognizes that Musk has taken notable steps to champion free expression, such as reinstating controversial figures on the platform, vocally criticizing European digital regulations, and resisting censorship attempts by Brazilian […]
Featuring Natalie Alkiviadou Senior Research Fellow Natalie Alkiviadou joins The Lembit Öpik Show for TNT Radio to discuss a proposed “fake news” bill in Cyprus. The bill, which Dr. Alkiviadou wrote about at Verfassungsblog, would impose a prison sentence of up to five years for those accused of spreading disinformation. Alkiviadou expresses concern about the […]
Did overheated political rhetoric lead to the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump? On this episode of the So To Speak podcast, host Nico Perrino and his guests explore political violence: its history, its causes, and its relationship with free speech. Flemming Rose is a senior fellow at the Cato Institute. He previously served […]
Debate can help solve some of the world’s most challenging problems. But are there limits to what free speech and debate can accomplish? Social media has allowed more people to connect and share their perspectives than ever before. That has led to an immense amount of learning and progress—but it’s also led to an uptick […]
On May 23, 2024, Jacob Mchangama delivered the commencement speech at The Birch Wathen Lenox School in New York, NY. Watch the speech above or read it below: Speech Transcript Good morning, esteemed faculty, proud parents, and graduates of the class of 2024. Now I know what some of you might be thinking. “Really? We […]
On April 23, 2024, Jacob Mchangama gave the Publius Lecture at Stanford University Law School. Hailed as the “first freedom,” free speech is the bedrock of democracy. But it is a challenging principle, subject to erosion in times of upheaval. Today, in democracies and authoritarian states around the world, it is on the retreat. In […]