A North Carolina school board has taken 41 books off the shelves in their libraries to review them for student-appropriate content, including iconic fictional titles such as Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye, Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegaut and Brave New World by Aldous Huxley.| The Free Speech Center
The Pentagon says it will require credentialed journalists at the military headquarters to sign a pledge to refrain from reporting information that has not been authorized for release — including unclassified information. Journalists who don’t abide by the policy risk losing credentials that provide access to the Pentagon, under a 17-page memo distributed Sept. 19 […] The post Pentagon tightens news media restrictions, now requiring approval before reporting even unclassified info appea...| The Free Speech Center
After ABC suspended comedian Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show following a threat from the head of the Federal Communications Commission, congressional Democrats have denounced the Trump administration’s threats against political critics and unveiled a bill that would bolster free-speech protections against government officials. While the bill is unlikely to gain traction in a Republican-controlled Congress, Democrats harshly criticized the Trump […] The post Democrats introduce bill t...| The Free Speech Center
On Sept. 17, 2025, when the nation was celebrating Constitution Day, ABC News, which is owned by Walt Disney Co., announced that it was indefinitely suspending comedian and talk show host Jimmy Kimmel and his long-running program “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” It did so for comments that Kimmel made about the murder of Charlie Kirk, a […] The post ABC’s actions against Jimmy Kimmel could mark a First Amendment inflection point appeared first on The Free Speech Center.| The Free Speech Center
We get it: not everyone is a free-speech expert. A huge part of our job at FIRE is educating the public about their First Amendment rights, the scope of free-speech law, and the foundational principles that make free expression so important. Most people don’t have the time to get in the weeds like we do, so […] The post Why everything Pam Bondi said about ‘hate speech’ is wrong appeared first on The Free Speech Center.| The Free Speech Center
NEW YORK (AP) — ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show indefinitely beginning yesterday, Sept. 17, after comments that he made about Charlie Kirk’s killing led a group of ABC-affiliated stations to say it would not air the show and provoked ominous comments from a top federal regulator. The veteran late-night comic made several remarks about the reaction to […] The post ABC suspends Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show indefinitely over his remarks about Charlie Kirk’s killing ...| The Free Speech Center
Vice President JD Vance on Sept. 15 jumped onto the conservative movement demanding consequences for those who have cheered Charlie Kirk’s killing, calling on the public to report anyone who says distasteful things about the assassination of his friend and political ally. “When you see someone celebrating Charlie’s murder, call them out,” Vance urged listeners on the […] The post Trump administration joins Republicans’ campaign to police speech in reaction to Kirk’s killing ap...| The Free Speech Center
In the wake of the assassination of political organizer and commentator Charlie Kirk, some turned to social media to decry him in caustic and insensitive terms. That offended many, some of whom documented offensive posts and called on the posters’ employers — particularly in the public sector — to fire them. Some did, causing many to […] The post 10 ways to use your free speech without losing your job appeared first on The Free Speech Center.| The Free Speech Center
In the latest newsletter … Charlie Kirk assassination fallout: How not to lose your job … First Amendment lawyer makes enemies left and right … guidance on public-school prayer … trailblazing prison newspaper … and much more First Amendment and journalism news. https://tinyurl.com/434ydrsh The Free Speech Center newsletter offers a digest of First Amendment and news […] The post Free Speech Center newsletter – 9/16/25 appeared first on The Free Speech Center.| The Free Speech Center
NEW YORK (AP) — Matthew Dowd opened a floodgate. The MSNBC political analyst, who lost his job shortly after on-air comments about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s Sept. 10 assassination, was the first of many figures to face consequences Sept. 11 for public statements or actions about the shooting. Indeed, raw feelings about the killing have […] The post Matthew Dowd’s firing begins flood of people facing consequences for comments on Charlie Kirk’s death appeared first on The F...| The Free Speech Center
WASHINGTON (AP) — The same scene played out at campuses across the country. Charlie Kirk would grab a microphone, take a seat under a canopy — often in busy campus hubs — and invite debate from anyone who came along. His prompt: “Prove me wrong.” Kirk’s open and engaging approach veered from the well-worn tracks […] The post Charlie Kirk’s slaying raises fears for future of open debate on college campuses appeared first on The Free Speech Center.| The Free Speech Center
Although Tennessee upheld a law prohibiting the teaching of evolution after the Scopes Monkey Trial, the Supreme Court later said a similar law violated the First Amendment.| The Free Speech Center
Elk Grove Unified School District v. Newdow (2004) avoided addressing whether the words “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance violated the First Amendment.| The Free Speech Center
Zorach v. Clauson (1952) said the released time policy of New York violated neither the free exercise nor establishment clause of the First Amendment.| The Free Speech Center
Terminiello v. Chicago (1949) overturned on First Amendment grounds a disorderly conduct conviction against a suspended Catholic priest for making inflammatory public comments.| The Free Speech Center
The preferred position doctrine creates a hierarchy of rights so that some freedoms, such as those related to the First Amendment, receive greater protection than others.| The Free Speech Center
Franklin D. Roosevelt is best known for his New Deal programs and his leadership during World War II.| The Free Speech Center
The Bill of Rights, the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, was established in 1791 to guard against an oppressive national government by establishing certain rights.| The Free Speech Center
During World War II, the Supreme Court began to apply the clear and present danger standard of First Amendment protection to dissident political speech.| The Free Speech Center
The Court considered conscientious objector cases during the Vietnam War, weighing when First Amendment freedom protects someone from laws requiring military service.| The Free Speech Center
The pacifism and effort of the Amish and Mennonites to separate themselves from worldliness have led to a number of important First Amendment legal precedents.| The Free Speech Center
In Reynolds v. United States (1879), the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that a federal law prohibiting polygamy did not violate the free exercise clause of the First Amendment.| The Free Speech Center
Polygamy is a practice in which a person is married to more than one person at the same time. Polygamy raises issues under the free exercise clause of the First Amendment.| The Free Speech Center
Harlan Fiske Stone, chief justice on the Supreme Court, demonstrated a profound interest in civil liberties and First Amendment values.| The Free Speech Center
While Justice Felix Frankfurter championed civil rights, he frequently voted to limit civil liberties and was not one of the great defenders of the First Amendment.| The Free Speech Center
The compelled speech doctrine sets out that the First Amendment prevents the government from punishing a person for refusing to articulate or adhere to its messages.| The Free Speech Center
William O. Douglas was one of the Supreme Court’s most controversial members as well as one of its most passionate defenders of individual freedoms and First Amendment rights.| The Free Speech Center
To promote First Amendment freedom of speech, libel plaintiffs who are public figures or officials must show a publisher acted with actual malice to collect damages.| The Free Speech Center
Supreme Court Justice Arthur Goldberg was a consistent vote for the protection of First Amendment freedoms, including in the landmark case New York Times Co. v. Sullivan.| The Free Speech Center
The origin of "wall of separation" came from Thomas Jefferson who used the phrase to reflect his understanding of the First Amendment's religion clauses.| The Free Speech Center
Prayer at public school events can involve three clauses of the First Amendment: the establishment, the free exercise, and the free speech.| The Free Speech Center
In Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971), the Supreme Court said that providing funds to church-run schools was unconstitutional because it resulted in excessive entanglement with religion.| The Free Speech Center
The coercion test helps the Supreme Court determine whether government practices violate the First Amendment’s establishment clause. It is most often used in public school cases.| The Free Speech Center
Justice Clarence Thomas has surprised observers with his independent vision on First Amendment issues, including questioning interpretations of the establishment clause.| The Free Speech Center
Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia viewed First Amendment protections in a narrow, but sometimes libertarian, fashion. He considered himself an "originalist."| The Free Speech Center
Ronald Reagan, the nation's 40th president, supported a free and independent press, but thought the Supreme Court got it wrong on school prayer.| The Free Speech Center
Employment Division, Department of Human Resources of Oregon v. Smith (1990) greatly changed First Amendment religious free exercise law, abandoning the compelling interest test.| The Free Speech Center
City of Boerne v. Flores (1997) said Congress does not have unlimited power to expand First Amendment rights and overturned the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993.| The Free Speech Center
The 1786 Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom was the driving force behind the religious clauses of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1791.| The Free Speech Center
Torcaso v. Watkins (1961) found that requiring an oath to affirm belief in “the existence of God” in order to hold public office violated the First Amendment.| The Free Speech Center
Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence and third U.S. president, promoted ideals of freedom of speech, press, and conscience.| The Free Speech Center
Freedom of religion guarantees the right to freely exercise one's faith and to be free from government imposition of religion.| The Free Speech Center
When the First Amendment was ratified, it did not eliminate established churches in states where they existed. Eventually, all established churches were disestablished.| The Free Speech Center
The recognition and celebration of religious holidays by government can run counter to the First Amendment prohibition of government endorsing a particular religion.| The Free Speech Center
The First Amendment creates lines between public and religious buildings. The line is not clear because courts have accepted some civil religion in public places.| The Free Speech Center
Marsh v. Chambers (1983) found that the practice of hiring a chaplain to open the legislative day with prayer did not violate the establishment clause of the First Amendment.| The Free Speech Center
The Supreme Court used the three-pronged Lemon test for nearly four decades to evaluate whether a law or governmental activity violated the establishment clause of the First Amendment. The test was largely abandoned by 2022.| The Free Speech Center
The American Civil Liberties Union states as its mission the protection and preservation of First Amendment rights, equal protection under the law, and the right of privacy.| The Free Speech Center
Sherbert v. Verner (1963) said that denying unemployment benefits to an applicant who refused to work on Saturday, her Sabbath, violated First Amendment rights.| The Free Speech Center
Obscenity refers to a narrow category of pornography that violates contemporary community standards is not protected by the First Amendment.| The Free Speech Center
In Jacobellis v. Ohio (1964) the Court overturned on First Amendment grounds the conviction of a movie theater manager prosecuted for showing a film deemed to be obscene.| The Free Speech Center
The development of First Amendment free speech and association rights in the United States owes much to the battle against the Communism Party of America.| The Free Speech Center
West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette (1943) said requiring students to salute the American flag infringed upon First Amendment freedoms of belief and speech.| The Free Speech Center
Robert Jackson, a Supreme Court justice from 1941 to 1954, believed strongly in separation of church and state and free speech protections First Amendment.| The Free Speech Center
The Supreme Court has ruled that compelling schoolchildren to recite the Pledge of Allegiance violates the First Amendment.| The Free Speech Center
Minersville School District v. Gobitis (1940) ruled that states could require public school students to salute the U.S. flag without violating students’ First Amendment rights.| The Free Speech Center
Perhaps no religious sect has had a greater impact relative to its size on expanding the First Amendment free exercise of religion than has the Jehovah’s Witnesses.| The Free Speech Center
Discover how censorship challenges the rights of free speech and press, as upheld by the First Amendment in vital court cases.| The Free Speech Center
Justice Thurgood Marshall was the first African-American to serve on the Supreme Court. He consistently championed First Amendment and other individual rights.| The Free Speech Center
Chief Justice Warren Burger introduced the Lemon test for determining whether government actions violated the establishment clause of the First Amendment.| The Free Speech Center
New York Times Co. v. Sullivan (1964) required public officials to show prove actual malice in libel cases, enhancing First Amendment protection of government critiques.| The Free Speech Center
Libel and slander lawsuits can have a chilling effect on free speech. The First Amendment rights of free speech and free press often clash with the interests served by libel laws.| The Free Speech Center
Actual malice is the legal standard the Supreme Court uses to protect the media in libel cases in determining when public officials or figures may win damages in lawsuits.| The Free Speech Center
Supreme Court Associate and Chief Justice William Rehnquist was not known as a defender of First Amendment rights, but he protective of some aspects of the amendment.| The Free Speech Center
Wallace v. Jaffree (1985) struck down a state law requiring a minute of silence in public schools. The Court said the law had a religious purpose and violated the First Amendment.| The Free Speech Center
In First Amendment law, Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman appointed to the Supreme Court, was known for her religious liberty opinions.| The Free Speech Center
Many early American states required public officeholders to take religious oaths. In 1961, the Supreme Court said this requirement violated the First Amendment.| The Free Speech Center
Lynch v. Donnelly (1984) upheld the inclusion of a manger scene in a Christmas display on government property against a First Amendment establishment clause challenge.| The Free Speech Center
Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens contributed mightily to First Amendment jurisprudence and seemingly became more speech-protective in his later years on the Court.| The Free Speech Center
Public school students enjoy First Amendment protection based on the type of expression and their age. Students do not shed their First Amendment rights at the schoolhouse gate.| The Free Speech Center
In Morse v. Frederick, the Supreme Court ruled it is not a denial of First Amendment rights for school officials to censor student speech they believe encourages illegal drug use.| The Free Speech Center
Supreme Court Justice John Marshall Harlan II was an architect of First Amendment jurisprudence in obscenity law, freedom of association, expressive conduct, and offensive speech.| The Free Speech Center
Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier (1988) decided that schools may limit student First Amendment rights if student speech is inconsistent with an educational mission.| The Free Speech Center
Burnside v. Byars (5th Cir. 1966) protected students’ First Amendment rights on school grounds. The decision served as a key precedent for Tinker v. Des Moines (1969).| The Free Speech Center
In Bethel School District No. 403 v. Fraser (1986), an important First Amendment precedent, the Supreme Court said public school officials can prohibit offensive student speech.| The Free Speech Center
Supreme Court Justice William Brennan Jr. was an outspoken defender of the First Amendment freedoms of speech and the press against threats of government restriction.| The Free Speech Center
Explore the concept of religion neutrality and its implications in Supreme Court decisions regarding the establishment clause.| The Free Speech Center
The establishment clause prohibits government from establishing a religion. It is sometimes referred to as separation of church and state.| The Free Speech Center
Governments must treat atheism like a religion for purposes of the First Amendment. The establishment clause prohibits the government from favoring religion over non-religion.| The Free Speech Center
Courts use the endorsement test to determine whether the government impermissibly endorses or disapproves of religion in violation of the First Amendment.| The Free Speech Center
Supreme Court Justice Hugo Lafayette Black is considered to be one of the most influential justices of his time. On First Amendment issues, Black was considered an absolutist.| The Free Speech Center
Everson v. Board of Education (1947) said spending tax funds to bus children to religious schools did not breach the First Amendment establishment clause.| The Free Speech Center
Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969) established that public school students have First Amendment rights. It is the seminal decision on student speech.| The Free Speech Center
Engel v. Vitale (1962) ruled that school-sponsored prayer in public schools violated the First Amendment even though participation in the prayer was voluntary.| The Free Speech Center
Abington School District v. Schempp (1963) ended devotional exercises in public schools because the First Amendment forbade the recognition of one religion over others.| The Free Speech Center
Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart had a mixed record in First Amendment cases but was often supportive of individual liberty in cases involving speech and religion.| The Free Speech Center
