Facts and studies

Strengthened laws against "hate speech" have raised concerns about curbing free speech. Critics argue these laws could suppress legitimate political opinions if applied too broadly.

https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2024/country-chapters/france

https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-87086-7_11

 Over 50% of Americans view members of the opposing political party as immoral. Growing political polarization makes open discussions about politics more difficult, as opinions are highly divided.

This study examines the tension between free speech, anonymity, and digital discourse. It reveals how anonymity, while protecting freedom of speech, also fosters toxic behaviors like trolling and harassment. Experts predict that attempts to regulate harmful speech online may further complicate the balance between privacy, security, and free expression. This can lead to increased governmental surveillance and limitations on individual rights​.

This report discusses how free speech is increasingly restricted on university campuses in the U.S. and elsewhere. It highlights that private universities often limit controversial speakers to protect students, leading to accusations of censorship. The phenomenon of "safe spaces" has also sparked debate on whether institutions are overly protective at the expense of open dialogue.

This study explores global views on free speech, noting that in many Western countries, there is significant debate on the limits of free expression, especially on sensitive topics like offensive speech against minority groups or religion. The U.S. stands out for its high tolerance, but even there, racial divides show that nonwhite Americans are less likely to support offensive speech. This points to growing societal tensions about the boundaries of free speech.

This study dives into how freedom of expression is under threat in democratic societies, where double standards and censorship often emerge when dealing with controversial subjects such as morality, religion, and politics. It highlights how laws meant to protect free speech may instead be undermining democracy by limiting dissent and fostering social vulnerability.

This academic study focuses on the restrictions of free speech on Western university campuses, discussing the rise of “trigger warnings,” “safe spaces,” and “deplatforming.” It shows that academic environments, traditionally bastions of free expression, are becoming more constrained, with growing intolerance for controversial ideas. This trend could potentially erode critical thinking and intellectual freedom.