Championing Free Speech: The Fight Against Censorship and Propaganda

There are two words that are raising controversy around the world; wars have been fought over them, lives have been saved or taken because of them, some countries have strong laws for or against them. Even in the United States, the issue is taking center stage among neighbors, students, and members of Congress: the first amendment of the Constitution continues to be subject to deep analysis and interpretation. “Free Speech.” May 3 was International Press Freedom Day. Today, free press is hard to find. Reuters Institute reports that the USA ranks last among 46 countries ifor public trust in the media. Countries around the globe are adopting authoritarian anti-hate speech and misinformation laws, attempting to protect the public from those who deemed to be bad actors but at the expense of the free exchange of information. Mainstream, corporate media has become compromised. Government funded media is being scrutinized. And independent media is now under attack from those who don’t want it to exist....