Free speech

The Fight for a Good Name

Where do we draw the line between freedom of expression and the right to defend one’s reputation in a democratic society?

Michael Mirilashvili, President of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress
 Demonstrators gather outside the Federal Courthouse in New York City to show support for Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil and to demand his release from ICE detention on March 12, 2025.

Federal judge orders Mahmoud Khalil to be released by Friday on $1 bond

 A Human Rights Watch flag is pictured on the Mont-Blanc bridge in Geneva, Switzerland, November 7, 2024.

HRW decries German proposal to revoke citizenship of antisemites, terror supporters

 Former US president Barack Obama listens to speakers on a panel at the Obama Foundation Democracy Forum in Chicago, Illinois, US. December 5, 2024.

'It's up to us to fix this': Obama urges universities to defend academic freedom


Ben-Gurion University lifts suspension on lecturer who criticized IDF, Israel

The suspension was lifted on Tuesday after the lecturer apologized and said he would refrain from posting content that could offend or harm students in the future.

 Ben-Gurion University campus in Beersheba, southern Israel. May 28, 2023.

Meta drops restrictions which protected LGBTQ community

Meta's global policy chief stated, "It’s not right that things can be said on TV or the floor of Congress but not on our platforms."

 META CEO Mark Zuckerberg delivers a speech at the Meta Connect event at the company’s headquarters in Menlo Park, California.

NJ Congressman denounces Rutgers faculty for adopting BDS resolution

Gottheimer said that the resolution was antisemitic and called for a state university to divest and cut academic affiliations from a key democratic ally.

 A hedge outside Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, July 30, 2016.

US appeals court upholds TikTok law forcing its sale

The ruling is expected to be appealed to the Supreme Court of the United States.

 Facebook, TikTok apps are seen on a smartphone in this illustration taken, July 13, 2021.

Can Israel navigate dissenting voices without undermining democracy? – editorial

'Haaretz' backlash highlights free speech, financial pressure, and democracy under stress/

Haaretz newspaper on a shelf alongside The New York Times

Sweden to prosecute two men over Quran burnings

Two men will be tried for burning the Koran in Sweden, charged with inciting hate against Muslims.

 Cars are seen set on fire in Rosengard district, following Quran burnings that caused riots in several Swedish towns over the Easter weekend, in Malmo, Sweden April 17, 2022.

'Rampant antisemitism on campus': Free speech vs. civil rights in schools

Concerns about campus climate are heightened as students return to school after a contentious spring marked by anti-Israel demonstrations.

 Demonstrators holding a banner protest in solidarity with Pro-Palestinian organizers as they block a street, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in New York City, US. April 18, 2024.

Stopping campus antisemitism harms free speech, strengthens democracy - opinion

The use of democratic tools by the demonstrators in the universities creates a negative externalization towards Jewish students that results in the lack of ability to exercise basic rights.

 ANTI-ISRAEL BOOKS outnumber pro-Israel books in the Middle East section of the Harvard University bookshop.

Iran's executions of artists highlights regime's stance on freedom of expression - opinion

Iran has significantly increased executions in 2024, targeting dissenters like rapper Toomaj Salehi, reflecting the regime’s harsh stance on freedom of expression.

 PROTESTERS IN support of women in the Islamic Republic of Iran hold a banner reading ‘Woman Life Freedom,’ in Ottawa, 2022.

Rethinking free speech as hate speech and violence spread - editorial

We must foster an environment where constructive dialogue is encouraged, and diverse perspectives can be shared without fear of retribution or violence.

 An "Intifada" banner waves over Columbia University after students seize Hamilton Hall on 116th Street in New York City, April 30, 2024.

UK ex-barrister sentenced for blog posts: 'Nothing wrong with being antisemitic’

CPS and the Hampshire Constabulary said that they went through a year's worth of blog posts, but only five antisemitic posts were found to be in violation of the 2003 Communications Act.

British police officers stand watch at crime scene