Michael Mohun

2-7-17
FYS 100
Professor Von Burg
Wake Forest Should Not Restrict Freedom of Speech

1. CNN: Limiting free speech isnt the answer.

Jeffrey Miron is explaining that free-speech is something essential to each American.

Miron also believes that free speech holds simply that the harms from government restrictions

on speech are worse than the harms from free speech itself. (CNN 1). Miron says this because

once the government has control over free speech they can manipulate it over the citizens. He

then goes on saying that sometimes people can use freedom of speech to promote violence and

hatred. However, he then states that the government should go and pursue those people who

commit the acts of violence and punish them rather than free speech. Miron also does state that

free speech is not right in all areas, such as shouting fire in a movie theater, however, it still

deserves protection because it is the gate way to other freedoms.

2. InsideSources: Why Freedom of Speech Matters

Britt Christensen starts by saying that supporters of free speech believe their arguments to

be common sense. Christensen then says that freedom of speech and growth in economy,

democracy and sociopolitical levels are related. Thus this will expand their markets and increase

business. This comes from the idea that free speech transfers ideas to different people.

Christensen also implores that freedom of speech keeps the government accountable and honest

to the citizens. This is the case because a reporter can expose a corrupt politician and report on

how a politician was reliable or not. Christensen also adds that governments who restrict

freedom of speech stand-alone from the general population. (InsideSource 1).

3. Foundation of Economic Education: Three Reasons Free Speech

Steven Pinker starts by saying that he believes that free speech is the foundation of

democracy. He then lists three reasons why free speech is important to our society. The three
Michael Mohun
2-7-17
FYS 100
Professor Von Burg
reasons are that it is the only way to acquire knowledge, foundational to keep away tyranny, and

lastly that free speech is fundamental to civilized societies. We acquire knowledge from free

speech because we hear what other people think and what they know which enhances society.

This helps knowledge spread to different social networks and social groups. Free speech also can

unite people against a corrupt and unjust government and causes major changes to a country.

Free speech also helps maintain civilized societies because free speech enhances knowledge so

this creates a more prosperous community for the citizens.

These three sources are related because they all agree that free speech enhances

knowledge because people will hear other peoples ideas and make new ideas that benefit

society. Source 2 and 3 believe that freedom of speech keeps governments in check and honest.

People will stand up to corrupt governments and expose them. Sources 2 and 3 also believe that

freedom of speech allow growth and expansion of people and of markets. Free speech creates

and transports different ideas to all sorts of people.

4. PBS: Should There Be Limits on Freedom of Speech

Ben Wizner talks about how freedom of speech is important however, can be demeaning

and hurt specific groups. These specific groups are mostly minorities, and they can be abused. So

in some instances, restricting some forms of free speech is beneficial to the population. Wizner

does highlight that this can sometimes lead to more violent conflicts between different groups.

This is important because with restricting hate speech can protect groups of people and help

them feel welcomed into society. This is important especially in this day and time that we include

everyone, and see both sides of the equation. However, Wizner states that restricting free speech

isnt always a good idea, and can potentially backfire And those who proposed the restrictions

often come to regret it (PBS 1).

Michael Mohun
2-7-17
FYS 100
Professor Von Burg
5. The New York Times: The Harm In Free Speech

Stanley Fish goes on to explain that free speech should be limited when it becomes hate

speech it makes groups of people feel useless and makes groups of people feel unsafe. Fish does

state that even though hate speech can be categorized by free speech it should be censored and

controlled by the government. A perfect example is Donald Trump, he used hate speech in the

form of free speech about banning all Muslims. This has caused extreme anxiety among the

Muslim community and even some people to fear for their lives. So Fish argues that we should

prohibit that type of speech to protect the well-being of our citizens.

Sources 4 and 5 relate to each other because they talk about how free speech that turns

into hate speech causes people, minorities in particular, to feel useless. People then perceive

themselves as outsiders and that they are not welcomed in the country they are in. Their sense of

security is stripped from them.

Arguments:

Free speech at Wake Forest should not be restricted because it allows the student to be

themselves. If students at Wake Forest are not allowed to be individuals, they will slowly lose

their creativity and become part of the majority losing their culture. For example, students who

support different candidates could not show their support because they are not allowed to show

their opinions in the fear that they might offend someone.

Free speech at Wake Forest should be restricted because it can cause animosity among

students. If free speech is restricted Wake Forest students will become happier and less conflict

will arise. For example, students who placed a Trump flag on their window offended other

students who did not like their views which causes the other students to place their own flags

against Trump.