The Future of Free Speech

Most European countries already criminalize some forms of anti-LGBTQ+ hate speech, yet harassment continues to rise. Meanwhile, European policymakers are calling for even broader restrictions.

The “free speech champion” who takes his critics to court. @mchangama.bsky.social on how Javier Milei has used state power—criminal defamation complaints and a post-World Cup decree targeting “hate messages”—despite the limited-government rhetoric. In @reason.com:

1 in 5 U.S. voters have asked an AI chatbot about politics. Governments worldwide have noticed, and they’re shaping what those chatbots can say. @jordicalbad.bsky.social breaks it down in @us.theconversation.com ⬇️

Supposed "free speech champions" seem to always find exceptions when it comes to speech they dislike. At the 2026 Battle of Ideas Festival, @mchangama.bsky.social discussed how censorship always comes back around.

“Censorship almost never returns these days, announcing that it wants to abolish liberty. It claims to be saving liberty from its misuses.” Jacques de Saint Victor on @mchangama.bsky.social’s book— and why “Milton’s curse” still haunts the defenders of liberty ⬇️

Some governments are making the right commitments to empower users and strengthen accessibility in AI. But there is still a long way to go before these promises are fulfilled.

🇧🇷🇵🇹 NOW AVAILABLE IN PORTUGUESE ⬇️ Our counterspeech toolkit gives people around the world actionable strategies to combat hate speech and disinformation—without resorting to censorship.

Many AI rules are forming around these vaguely defined concepts— leaving wide discretion for content moderation and little protections for users.

Thanks to Evelyn Mary Aswad, fellow at Harvard’s @harvard-carr-ryan.bsky.social, for highlighting our report, That Violates My Policies 2026, a joint effort with experts from 12 jurisdictions, coordinated by our team.

Commentary: www.hks.harvard.edu/centers/carr...

Governments are already censoring AI chatbots and users—often using legislation that already existed before AI. The 2026 edition of our AI report shows AI governance isn’t a future risk. It’s already happening.

Anthropic’s new post on preparing for the 2026 midterms cites our research as it shapes its approach. ⬇️ Protecting freedom of expression in AI is key to free, democratic elections. Stay tuned for details of our findings next week.

🔗 Read the full post here: www.anthropic.com/news/2026-us...

“A muffling power that earlier generations of autocrats could only dream of.” @mchangama.bsky.social in @technologyreview.com on why handing states the power to dictate what models won’t say is a risk to free expression everywhere.

The 2026 edition of our report, “That Violates My Policies,” is our most comprehensive look yet at what AI means for free expression.

The UK government is planning to ban under-16s from social media. At @gbnewsonline.bsky.social, Senior Legal Fellow @ashkhen.bsky.social warns this undermines the rights of children, adults, and anonymous users.

Where does Europe’s top human rights court draw the line on hate speech? Our Senior Research Fellow @nataliealkiviadou.bsky.social takes that question to the University of Strasbourg ⬇️

Many restrictions on AI-generated content come from laws written before chatbots existed. Existing rules on cybercrime, defamation, hate speech, and online safety have been applied instead — and enforcement has begun.

🔎 Our new report maps how these rules apply to chatbots and what they mean for free expression: tinyurl.com/5bbbm5d9

250 years in, is America’s free speech tradition stronger than ever... or more fragile than we think? Prof Eugene Volokh and Prof @maryannefranks.bsky.social take on the state of free speech in America at the 2026 Global Free Speech Summit.

Wikipedia changed how the world shares knowledge. Now governments around the world are passing regulations that threaten that open exchange. Founder Jimmy Wales opens the 2026 Global Free Speech Summit this Friday in conversation with @mmasnick.bsky.social.

Should you have to hand over your personal information to go online? Tech journalist @taylorlorenz.bsky.social and Iain Corby of the Age Verification Providers Association go head-to-head on one of the most contested questions of the digital age.

🗓️ Only 3 days to go until the 2026 Global Free Speech Summit! Get ready for two jam-packed days of debate and dialogue on the most pressing challenges shaping free expression today.

🔗 View the full schedule: www.globalfreespeechsummit.com/schedule

Does counterspeech work? The answer depends on what it's trying to achieve. Senior Research Fellow @nataliealkiviadou.bsky.social reviews the evidence on answering hate speech with more speech: what works, for whom, and in which contexts.

Frederick Douglass was a staunch defender of wartime dissent, press freedom, and a culture of openness. In an ongoing series of essays, @mchangama.bsky.social dives into Douglass’ free speech philosophy and the lessons that are still applicable today.

🔗 Read more at the Bedrock Principle: www.bedrockprinciple.com/t/commentary