America Has a Free Speech Problem

New York Times | The Editorial Board

The New York Times Editorial Board admits America has a speech problem, provides studies to prove it, and discusses why it matters.

“For all the tolerance and enlightenment that modern society claims, Americans are losing hold of a fundamental right as citizens of a free country: the right to speak their minds and voice their opinions in public without fear of being shamed or shunned. This social silencing, this depluralizing of America, has been evident for years, but dealing with it stirs yet more fear. It feels like a third rail, dangerous. For a strong nation and open society, that is dangerous…”

“Freedom of speech and expression is vital to human beings’ search for truth and knowledge about our world. A society that values freedom of speech can benefit from the full diversity of its people and their ideas. At the individual level, human beings cannot flourish without the confidence to take risks, pursue ideas and express thoughts that others might reject. Most important, freedom of speech is the bedrock of democratic self-government.”

Read the Article (the 3,000 comments are also illuminating).

See World’s Dullest Editorial Launches Panic (TK News, Matt Taibbi)