News Archive

Statement

FIRE statement on UT-Dallas student newspaper distribution

August 29, 2025

Freedom of the press isn’t a courtesy — it’s a constitutional right. UT Dallas can try to shut down a newspaper, but they can’t stop the news.

Press Release

VICTORY! University of North Texas system lifts drag ‘pause’ after ��ýapp�ٷ�/ACLU of TX letter

August 28, 2025

The University of North Texas system confirmed that it has lifted its “pause” on drag performances across its campuses.

Analysis

How sure are you?

August 28, 2025

��ýapp�ٷ�’s summer interns discovered that certainty isn’t just a matter of math or metaphysics, but a test of humility — and one that cuts to the core of free speech.

Podcast Series

So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast

So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast takes an uncensored look at the world of free expression through the law, philosophy, and stories that define your right to free speech. Hosted by ��ýapp�ٷ�'s Nico Perrino.

New episodes post every other Thursday.

Podcast

Civil rights, hate speech, and the First Amendment

August 28, 2025

We know the First Amendment protects hate speech. But has it always done so? And how have civil rights groups responded when their members are the target of hate speech? University of Iowa Law Professor Samantha Barbas is the author of a new law...

Analysis

Fifth Circuit: First Amendment protects drag show from campus censors

August 26, 2025

The Fifth Circuit just told West Texas A&M: students' abilities to express themselves shouldn’t be subject to the whims of college administrators.

Statement

FIRE statement on President Trump’s executive order to outlaw flag burning

August 25, 2025

Flag burning is protected expressive activity under the First Amendment.

Analysis

Chinese officials force censorship of Thai gallery’s art exhibit about authoritarianism (proving the exhibit’s point)

August 25, 2025

China censors Thai art show on authoritarianism, Hong Kong cites U.S. crackdowns to justify jailing Jimmy Lai, and T-shirts get people in trouble in Venezuela and Morocco

Analysis

The findings against Harvard are a blueprint for a National Campus Speech Code

August 20, 2025

HHS’s Title VI findings against Harvard collapse speech and conduct into one bucket, creating a de facto national campus speech code that threatens to turn political dissent into a punishable civil rights violation.

Press Release

VICTORY! 5th Circuit blocks West Texas A&M’s unconstitutional drag ban

August 18, 2025

In a victory for student expression on campus, the Fifth Circuit overruled a lower court to halt an unconstitutional ban on student drag performances at West Texas A&M University.