RT The Free Speech Union (@SpeechUnion)The Government is struggling to bring in a Muslim blasphemy law through the backdoor, so instead it’s going to try and do it via the front.The Crown Prosecution Service is seeking to overturn a High Court judge’s judgment acquitting Hamit Coskun last month.Hamit was originally convicted of a religiously aggravated public order offence for burning a copy of the Quran in protest outside the Turkish consulate in London.The judgment in the appeal hearing was a welcome reaf ...

Freedom of expression for artists, journalists and other critics has deteriorated in India under Narendra Modi’s government https://t.co/791QerpRxz ...

Government & Legal - Left-wing governments globally are moving towards criminalizing "misinformation" [1] - South Korea's President considers hate speech & misinformation on social media a crime exceeding freedom of expression [1] - The South Korean government views misinformation as a threat to democracy requiring severe punishment [1]

Government Policy & Freedom of Expression - The American government's attacks on non-profits are considered a "bad idea" [1] - These attacks are viewed as a fundamental attack on freedom of expression [1]

Individual Rights & Financial Freedom - Freedom of expression enables Americans to make choices regarding spending, investment, and donation of their money [1] - These rights are currently at risk and require vigorous defense [1]

Legal & Social Impact - Yevgenia Berkovich and Svetlana Petriychuk were the first artists jailed in Russia since Soviet times for their work's content [1] - The article "1843" explains how they turned the trial into their stage [1]

Core Viewpoint - Colombia's president, Gustavo Petro, criticized the US decision to revoke his visa, asserting that it reflects a lack of respect for international law, particularly in the context of his comments on genocide [1][3]. Group 1: Visa Revocation and Diplomatic Relations - The US State Department announced the cancellation of Petro's visa due to his "reckless and incendiary actions" during a pro-Palestinian demonstration [2]. - Colombia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the use of visa revocation as a diplomatic tool, arguing it undermines the principles of freedom of expression and the independence of UN member states [9]. Group 2: Context of the Pro-Palestinian Demonstration - Petro called for the establishment of a global armed force to prioritize the liberation of Palestinians, stating it should be larger than the US military [2]. - The ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in over 65,000 deaths and more than 167,000 injuries since Israel's military campaign began in October 2023, with significant civilian casualties reported [7].

Core Points - The Washington Post columnist Karen Attiah was fired following her social media posts regarding the death of Charlie Kirk, which the Post deemed non-compliant with their policy against disparaging remarks based on race or gender [1][2][8] - Attiah's termination has sparked criticism from the Post's union and free expression advocates, who argue it reflects a chilling effect on free speech within the media [8][9][10] - The incident is part of a broader trend of media companies taking action against employees for their social media commentary, with other companies like Nasdaq and Delta also responding to similar situations [11] Company Actions - The Washington Post's management had previously confronted Attiah multiple times regarding her social media activity, indicating ongoing concerns about her posts [2][3] - The Post has recently undergone a restructuring of its opinion section, which has led to significant changes in its editorial staff and focus [11] Industry Context - The firing of Attiah and other journalists following the incident with Kirk raises concerns about the state of free speech and expression in the media industry, as highlighted by advocacy organizations [9][10] - The actions taken by various companies in response to employee commentary suggest a growing trend of enforcing strict policies regarding public statements made by staff [11]

Incident Overview - The report addresses the political assassination of Charlie Kirk, emphasizing it as an attack on American ideals and freedom of expression [3] - The suspect, Tyler Robinson, is in custody and will be charged; his family and a friend helped deliver him to law enforcement in Washington County, Utah [8][17] - The suspect's car was found on campus and then tracked going south towards St George/Washington County [19] Societal Impact and Response - The speaker contrasts political violence with other forms of violence, highlighting its impact on freedom of expression and the ability to have a clash of ideas [3] - Utah's reaction to the incident was characterized by vigils, prayers, and community gatherings, contrasting with potential rioting or looting [10] - The speaker calls for a rejection of hate and violence, urging Americans to find an "off-ramp" to prevent further escalation [11] - Social media is described as a "cancer" on society, with a recommendation to disconnect and engage in real-world community activities [22] Call to Action and Reflection - The speaker encourages young people to build a culture that embraces differences and engages in difficult conversations, rather than succumbing to rage [6][7] - The speaker expresses hope rather than optimism, emphasizing that positive change requires active effort [13] - The incident is viewed as a potential watershed moment in American history, with the outcome dependent on the choices made by individuals [11][20]

Political Violence & Freedom of Expression - Political violence, especially the assassination of figures like Charlie Kirk, is an attack on the American experiment and its ideals [1] - This type of violence undermines freedom of expression, making people hesitant to share ideas [2] - The ability to safely and securely clash ideas, even those disagreed with, is crucial for solving problems [3] Societal Impact - The assassination is not just an attack on an individual, but on everyone [1] - It strikes at the core of American identity and potential [2]