FIRE's Guide to Free Speech on Campus

by Harvey A. Silverglate

FIRE’s Guide to Free Speech on Campus focuses on the threat to freedom of expression posed by the imposition of speech codes, under various misleading names, on campuses across the nation.

Genres: Nonfiction, Law, Politics

Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the 2005 edition (I think it's been updated). The book lays out the important work FIRE is doing on order to keep American Universities honest with regard to their protected speech policies. Their work is both horrifying and inspiring in its explanation of how free speech is regularly violated on campuses and how easily exposing the hypocrisy of promoting free speech while simultaneously punishing it in practice can often cause a university to redress its problems.

It discusses history and theory of free speech law and presents examples of its violation and protected exercise. It's fuel for any advocate of free speech - on campus or not.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Speaking as a student newspaper editor, this is a very engaging and helpful guide to free speech on campus, that covers everything from private to public, advice for dealing with every situation, responses to say, etc. While my version was likely outdated, the advice in it was still extremely helpful, especially the proposed responses to censorship. In addition, the book was very clear about the philosophy it held towards free speech and why it did, writing compelling arguments about the marketplace of ideas, futility of censorship, paternalism, etc. It's very well-written, with quotes that I highlighted and sent to my boss. The stories it uses come from all perspectives and angles. It's given me a lot to mull over regarding my own university and how they advertise themselves versus their actions.
FIRE itself remains a useful resource for students wanting to learn more about free speech on their campus — my EIC and I actually contacted them recently for advice on a project we were working on, and they directed us to the guide. I'm very grateful for all their help in that respect!
This guide is only more and more relevant as we enter a presidential administration that is suing a Des Moines paper for publishing a poll. We as journalists need to know our rights and avoid falling victim to the chilling effect I'm sure it will create.

[James]

A useful book. There is a useful site https://papersformoney.com/masterpape... to help students and students write written work. Essays, exams, etc.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Important work with a lot of good information about free speech rights on campuses.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly important piece of work that is only going to become more relevant in the coming years as censorship attempts (often student-led) become more and more common.

[Karl · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent resource that I wish every student would read.