Free Speech Archives - The Ohio Star

Commentary: The Battle Against Big Tech Is an Existential Fight for Conservatives

July 12, 2021July 11, 2021 Ohio Star Staff

Person holding phone up in Times Square.

For Big Tech billionaires, these are the best of times, and the worst of times.

Why the best? Because the long arm of social media and online commerce has never reached further and deeper into Americans’ culture, spending habits, lifestyles, and worldview. Likewise, the net worth of these billionaires has risen to undreamed-of heights. COVID was, for tech barons, a blessing in disguise: it trapped Americans indoors, where they could do little else but browse the web, consume digital entertainment, and spend their stimulus dollars on imported Chinese doohickeys. Even as the dreaded virus has retreated, Big Tech has successfully locked in its gains.

Why the worst of times, though? The very rise of Big Tech has portended greater scrutiny. The debasement of Big Tech’s competitors and natural enemies—from brick-and-mortar stores to Trump supporters—has ensured that the drumbeat of criticism of social media companies and online retailers has never been more stridently percussive.

U.S. Supreme Court Sides with Student in Free Speech Case

June 28, 2021June 27, 2021 The Center Square

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of free speech rights for students outside of the classroom in a decision Wednesday.

The court sided with former Mahanoy Area High School student and cheerleader Brandi Levy in the case, formally known as Mahanoy Area School District v B.L., with a 8-1 decision in her favor. Mahanoy Area High School is located in Pennsylvania.

Levy, upset that she had not made her school’s varsity cheer team, posted on the social media site Snapchat a simple message with explicit language expressing her frustration.

Republicans Debate Breaking up Big Tech After Trump’s Facebook Suspension

May 10, 2021May 9, 2021 The Center Square

Many Republicans in Congress have reignited their calls to break up the big tech companies after Facebook announced last week they would maintain the suspension of former President Donald Trump’s account.

A new poll released by Rasmussen Friday found that 59% of likely voters “believe operators of social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter are politically biased in the decisions they make” with only 26% disagreeing. The rest are unsure.

The poll results went on to say that “a majority of voters now favor ending legal protections for social media companies.” The reported public opinion against the tech giants comes the same week Facebook announced they would keep Trump suspended from their platform, citing his alleged role in the Jan. 6 Capitol riots.

At Princeton, a Racial Reckoning and a Free Speech Battle

January 1, 2021December 31, 2020 RealClearWire

In 2015, Princeton University became the second higher-education institution to sign the University of Chicago Statement supporting campus free speech. Yet, five years later, Princeton professor Keith E. Whittington wrote that the university stood “on the front lines” of the battle over speech. Those battle lines were drawn this summer by students and faculty demanding the adoption of “anti-racist” policies, which some on campus say run counter to free speech and open inquiry.

Ohio Gov. DeWine Signs Bill That Protects Students’ Free Speech

December 24, 2020December 23, 2020 The Center Square

When Ohio college students return to campus after the holidays, they will be able to speak their mind freely.

Gov. Mike DeWine signed the Forming Open and Robust University Minds Act that protects individuals’ First Amendment rights and prohibits “free speech zones” on public college and university campuses in the state.

Ohio Lawmakers Require Free Speech Protection at Colleges, Universities

December 5, 2020December 4, 2020 The Center Square

The Ohio House of Representatives made voices on the state’s college campus a little louder this week, if Gov. Mike DeWine approves.

The House passed the “Forming Open and Robust University Minds Act,” which would prevent colleges and universities from limiting political speech on campuses or moving that speech into “free speech zones.”

Commentary: How to Restrain Big Tech Immediately

October 29, 2020October 28, 2020 Ohio Star Staff

A year ago, University of Georgia professor Cas Mudde took to Twitter and asked: “How do you manage to stay informed about political news and stay mentally balanced?” In his next tweet, he confessed too much time on social media was contributing to anxiety and depression.

With this, Mudde expressed a sentiment many social media users share. As we discuss policy issues tied to social media—tech regulation, free speech, foreign influence—we shouldn’t lose sight of the damaging psychological effects of today’s information environment. You may not want to hear this a week before the election, but social media addiction is a public health issue. Big Tech is the new Big Tobacco.

Campus Survey: 42 Percent of Students Say Their College Doesn’t Empower Free Speech

October 1, 2020September 30, 2020 Ohio Star Staff

Conservative students on college campuses across the U.S. are more likely to self-censor than their more liberal classmates out of fear of backlash or retribution, according to a first-of-its-kind student survey commissioned by RealClearEducation and the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE).

The survey is the largest of its kind – canvasing 20,000 students at 55 U.S. colleges and universities about their experiences with free speech on campuses. Conducted by College Pulse, the survey ranks schools according to how open and tolerant students say they are, among several other criteria, and includes numerous student comments about their experiences.

Free Speech Group Warns University After it Allowed Black Lives Matter Protest but Banned Other Gatherings

September 29, 2020September 28, 2020 Ohio Star Staff

A free speech advocacy group has sent two letters to East Carolina University after the public college banned gatherings of more than 50 students, but allowed a Black Lives Matter protest on campus.

Southeastern Legal Foundation sent a letter to the North Carolina public university on September 16 seeking information on its enforcement of its coronavirus policies. After receiving no response, the public interest law group sent a follow-up letter on September 24.

Commentary: Is Free Speech at Stake in November?

August 17, 2020 Ohio Star Staff

The phenomenon of “cancel culture” is a real and growing threat to free speech in America. This rapidly rising threat has caught many Americans off guard.

Since the rise of the nation-state, almost all the serious threats to freedom of speech have come from government or government sponsored agencies. However, this current threat is not from the government – at least not yet.

‘Walking on Eggshells’: 62 Percent of Americans Are Afraid to Express Political Views, Survey Finds

July 24, 2020July 23, 2020 Ohio Star Staff

Self-censorship is on the rise according to a new Cato Institute survey that reports nearly two-thirds of Americans are afraid to share their political views.

A new CATO Institute/YouGov national survey found 62% of Americans say the political climate today prevents them from saying what they believe. This is up several points from 2017 when 58% of Americans said they were afraid to share their political beliefs.

Commentary: Big Tech’s Escalating War on Free Speech

July 3, 2020July 2, 2020 Ohio Star Staff

On June 19, 2017, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld 9-0 the right to freedom of speech, including “hate speech.” As Justice Samuel Alito wrote for the court: “The proudest boast of our free speech jurisprudence is that we protect the freedom to express the thought that we hate.” Justice Anthony Kennedy added in a concurring opinion: “A law that can be directed against speech found offensive to some portion of the public can be turned against minority and dissenting views to the detriment of all.”

Hawley Calls For Investigation into Officials Favoring Protests While Targeting Religion

June 11, 2020June 10, 2020 Ohio Star Staff

Republican Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley called for an investigation into free speech double-standards, saying that state officials have favored protests while targeting religious freedom.

He asked Attorney General William Barr and the Department of Justice to launch a “full civil rights investigation” into violations of “free exercise and free speech rights of religious Americans” in a Tuesday letter.

Trump Activists Mobbed on Ohio University Campus While Officers Watched

February 19, 2020February 18, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Two conservative activists were mobbed and harassed Monday on Ohio University’s Athens campus while multiple police officers watched.

These 10 Colleges Are Ranked ‘Worst of the Worst’ for Curbing Free Speech

February 2, 2020February 1, 2020 Admin

The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, a group dedicated to standing up for free-speech rights on U.S. college and university campuses, this week released its annual report chastising the Top 10 schools where it says those rights are most infringed.

Ohio Senate Passes Bill That Protects Free Speech on State College Campuses

January 30, 2020January 29, 2020 Zachery Schmidt

The Ohio Senate unanimously passed a bill Tuesday that strengthens free speech protections on college and university campuses in the Buckeye State.

Survey: Non-Whites Are the Only High School Students Whose Support for First Amendment Has Fallen

November 27, 2019November 26, 2019 Ohio Star Staff

General support for the First Amendment has modestly increased among high school students in the past 15 years, but not across all demographics, according to a report released last week by the Knight Foundation.

Commentary: Without Free Speech, All Speech Becomes Government Speech

November 10, 2019November 9, 2019 Ohio Star Staff

When I viewed this video, I wondered if it was a hoax. I thought it must be a group of actors trying to make a point about how far restrictions on speech have gone. Unfortunately, the video captures reality in Scotland in 2019.

Mark Zuckerberg Says That Private Companies Should Not Censor Politicians

October 19, 2019October 18, 2019 Ohio Star Staff

In an interview with Fox News’ Dana Perino, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg says that he believes private social media companies should not censor politicians.

Ohioans Call for Protest of Lorain County Fair for Allowing Sale of Confederate Flag

August 19, 2019August 18, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

A group of activists plans to protest the Lorain County Fair after organizers of the event confirmed that they would allow certain vendors to sell the Confederate flag.

College to Pay Students for Violating Their Free Speech Rights

August 4, 2019August 3, 2019 Ohio Star Staff

The University of Florida agreed this week to pay a conservative student group $66,000 and amend school policy to allow conservative groups to have access to more financial resources.

‘Free Market Warrior’ Spivak Warns Westerville Tea Party: We Are Losing Free Speech and More

July 11, 2019July 11, 2019 Beth Lear

WESTERVILLE, Ohio — “Free Market Warrior” Loren Spivak visited Westerville on Tuesday at the invitation of the Westerville Tea Party. Activists in the room settled in to hear Spivak’s talk about “What is ‘The Left,’ and What are They About, Really?” Spivak began by asking the audience, “What are the…

How College Students Really Feel About Free Speech on Campus

June 2, 2019June 2, 2019 Ohio Star Staff

by Kaylee Greenlee A new survey finding that college students generally support free speech also shows what for some is a worrisome divide over what students value more: an “inclusive society” that “welcomes diverse groups” or protecting “the extremes of free speech.” The Knight Foundation’s “Free Expressions of College…

Perrysburg High School Student Arrested in Connection With Disparaging Twitter Account

April 20, 2019April 19, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

A Perrysburg High School student was arrested this week in connection to a Twitter account that contained disparaging comments about his female peers. The student, 18-year-old Mehros Nassersharifi, was charged with telecommunications harassment for a Twitter account he started called “Perrysburg Girls Ranked.” All of the tweets have since been…

Trump’s Executive Order to Colleges: Protect Free Speech or Risk Billions in Federal Grants

March 22, 2019March 21, 2019 Ohio Star Staff

by Fred Lucas Polly Olson, a student at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, last year handed out homemade Valentine cards on her campus with Christian messages until college officials told her she was restricted to a “free speech zone.” On Thursday, Olson told her story at the White House before…

Arizona Lawmakers Stand Up for Students Wearing ‘MAGA’ Gear in Dispute With High School

March 7, 2019March 7, 2019 Ohio Star Staff

by Ginny Montalbano Some Arizona lawmakers are raising free speech concerns after a group of students and parents said high school officials called on students to remove pro-Trump “Make America Great Again” gear. The incident occurred March 1 when Perry High School in Gilbert, Arizona, hosted its “Party in…

21 Groups Join Supreme Court Case Against Public-Sector Unions for Free Speech Violations

January 10, 2019January 10, 2019 Andrew Shirley

Twenty-one policy groups filed amicus briefs Wednesday and joined the Buckeye Institute’s Supreme Court Case that could affect every public-sector labor union in the country. Included among the 21 policy groups are some of the most influential think tanks, advocacy organizations, and conservative institutes in the country. 18 of the organizations…

Facebook, Google Tools Reveal New Political Ad Tactics

November 8, 2018November 8, 2018 Ohio Star Staff

Public databases that shine a light on online political ads – launched by Facebook and Google before Tuesday’s U.S. elections – offer the public the first broad view of how quickly the companies yank advertisements that break their rules. The databases also provided campaigns unprecedented insight into opponents’ online…

Commentary: Yes, the Democratic Mob is Real

October 13, 2018October 14, 2018 Ohio Star Staff

by Donald Wilfong Yes, the Democratic mob exists, and it is very real. It is a faction that aims disrupt to our representative government in an uncivilized manner. They are the reason for the Justice Brett Kavanaugh outrage, the senseless attack of the GOP’s charity baseball team last year,…

UC Berkeley Limits Free Speech … Again

October 11, 2018October 11, 2018 Admin

by Troy Worden The University of California at Berkeley, regarded as the birthplace of the free speech movement, has done away with one of its historic “free speech zones.”Carol Christ, chancellor of UC Berkeley, last month e-mailed a statement to students, faculty, and staff detailing changes to the university’s…

A New Campus Invention for Policing Speech

September 19, 2018September 18, 2018 Admin

by Dan E. Way Colleges are using a new tool with the frightening potential to shut down open dialogue. They go by the benign-sounding name of “bias response teams.” Bias response teams monitor what students and faculty say. They encourage students to report, often anonymously, comments or behavior that…

How the 1851 Center for Constitutional Law Chose Its Name and Why It Matters to Ohioans

September 17, 2018September 19, 2018 Gregory Watson

Ohio entered the Union in 1803 as America’s 17th state and — as has been routine practice for freshly-added states — Ohio established a state constitution by which to govern itself in harmony with the U.S. Constitution. For decades, things generally seemed to function well. But by 1851, Ohioans began…

Commentary: Political Correctness, Just One Tool In The Arsenal Of ‘Sustainability’

September 17, 2018September 16, 2018 Admin

by Kathleen Marquardt, Vice President, American Policy Center “At its worst, political correctness is nothing different from Orwell’s Newspeak – an attempt to change the way people think by forcibly changing the way they speak.” ~ Urban Dictionary “Every child in America entering school at the age of five is mentally ill because…

Commentary: Only in America’s Schools Today Could ‘Partying Like It’s 1776’ Be Offensive

May 23, 2018May 22, 2018 Admin

by Jarrett Stepman At the rate we are going, saying “good morning” might become offensive. The principal of Cherry Hill High School East in New Jersey issued an apology after some students deemed the public school’s prom theme, “Party Like It’s 1776,” to be insensitive. “I am writing to…