Free Speech Is Heading In The Wrong Direction

Whether they call themselves Republicans, Democrats, or Independents, a significant number of Americans believe free speech is heading in the wrong direction. A survey conducted by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) found that Americans' view of free speech has gone significantly downhill since this past summer -- at the same time as recent events like the assassination of Christian and conservative commentator Charlie Kirk have suggested growing political divides.

The quarterly National Speech Index from October revealed 74% of Americans believe free speech is heading in the wrong direction, which is both a record high and a 10-point jump from FIRE's survey in July. As for those holding more optimistic views, the number is only 26% -- down from July's 37%.

Breaking it down by political party, 55% of those who believe free speech is heading in the right direction were Republicans -- a sharp contrast to just 11% Democrats, with Independents comprising 19%. Notably, all three figures have declined since July's survey, signaling growing pessimism across the board. 

"In the last three months," said FIRE Research Fellow & Polling Manager Nathan Honeycutt, "America watched as Charlie Kirk was murdered for simply debating on a college campus, followed immediately by a wave of censorship of those who opposed his views. It's no surprise that a record number of Americans of all parties now think that it's a dire time for free speech in America."

On government censorship, FIRE reported that 53% were "very" or "extremely" worried the government might dictate what social media companies can share, while 52% expressed similar alarm over government pressure on broadcast companies. Additionally, 46% were concerned about being debanked due to their political views. FIRE Legislative Director Carolyn Iodice explained how "Americans are deeply concerned about jawboning -- and they're right to be. Both parties have been guilty in recent years of using government pressure to silence speech. This isn't a partisan issue; it's a constitutional one."

The survey also asked if a hypothetical professor should get fired if they said some of the following:

"It's okay to punch a Nazi" -- 45% said the professor should probably/definitely be fired.

"These fascist Bible-thumpers want to drag us back to the Dark Ages" -- 37% said the professor should probably/definitely be fired.

"Our colleges and universities are progressive indoctrination centers" -- 24% said the professor should probably/definitely be fired.

"We are going to make America great again" -- 14% said the professor should probably/definitely be fired.

FIRE Chief Research Advisor Sean Stevens responded to these findings, stating, "Americans were most divided on the statement supporting political violence, but it's heartening that most Americans correctly backed academic freedom. On the other hand, it's deeply concerning that we intentionally included some rather tame political statements -- including the winning slogan of the last presidential election -- and vocal minorities still called for the professor's firing."

The survey's deeper dive into political violence further illuminated how 58% of respondents agreed to some extent that "political violence is a problem among all political groups." Others blamed specific parties, with 56% saying the issue is most prominent among conservatives, and 57% saying the same about progressives. But as Honeycutt noted, "Americans seem to recognize that political violence isn't a partisan problem -- it's a national one. Our polling suggests that the public is less interested in pointing fingers and more interested in fixing the toxic culture of hostility in our politics."

On the topic of hostility and violence, The Washington Times reported that "an NPR/PBS News/Marist poll conducted Sept. 22-26 found 30% of U.S. adults agreed that Americans 'may have to resort to violence to get the country back on track,' up from 20% in March 2024." That survey came just days after the assassination of Kirk. However, his death was not the only incident involving violence in recent months.

There have been several targeted attacks on ICE agents and facilities. Members of Congress have expressed heightened concerns over their safety. Just last week, a mob associated with Antifa -- a recently designated terrorist group -- stormed onto the scene of a Turning Point USA event.

Despite this, Family Research Council's David Closson offered some encouragement. "The FIRE survey confirms what many Americans have felt for some time: our country is in a precarious moment when it comes to free speech, civil discourse, and political stability," he told TWS. "The growing willingness across the ideological spectrum to silence -- sometimes even physically harm -- those we disagree with should deeply trouble every citizen who cares about democracy and ordered liberty."

He went on to explain how "the widespread acknowledgement that political violence is rising, and the horrific assassination of Charlie Kirk, attacks on churches, ICE facilities, and elected officials, is a sobering reminder of where a society goes when moral consensus breaks down. Scripture repeatedly warns that when a people reject truth and lose self-restraint, violence fills the vacuum (Judges 21:25). Christians should be the first to condemn political violence, regardless of the perpetrator or the target."

"Even in this moment of cultural instability," Closson noted, "believers have every reason for hope." As he concluded: "To those who feel fearful or discouraged: do not lose heart. We are not the first generation to face instability, and the gospel has always advanced most powerfully in moments when Christians lived distinctly from the surrounding culture. This is a time for courage, clarity, and compassion. Instead of retreating, we should recommit ourselves to speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), defending the vulnerable, and modeling the kind of principled, nonviolent conviction that our public square desperately needs."

Originally published at The Washington Stand