As the nation prepares to celebrate the Fourth of July, a day dedicated to freedom and independence, the right to free speech has become a fiercely debated topic. In his new book, ‘The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage,’ Fox News contributor Jonathan Turley argues that the United States is currently experiencing the most perilous period for free expression in its history. Turley contends that a powerful alliance between the government, corporations, and academia is increasingly restricting free speech, echoing historical crackdowns on dissent that have plagued America’s past.
While the current climate of rage and division may seem unprecedented, Turley reminds us that the United States was born in rage. He cites the Boston Tea Party, a pivotal moment in the American Revolution, as an example of how a society’s inherent need for change can manifest in anger and defiance. However, Turley cautions that this historical parallel serves as a warning, highlighting the potential for free speech to become the first casualty of societal upheaval.
Turley delves into the history of free speech in America, chronicling the struggles of individuals who dared to speak out against societal injustices and government overreach. He portrays individuals like Anita Whitney, a feminist who defied police threats to remain silent about the lynchings of Black Americans, as exemplars of courage and unwavering commitment to free expression. These individuals, according to Turley, are the true heroes of free speech, who risked everything to ensure the right to express dissenting opinions.
Turley argues that the current alliance against free speech, characterized by the government, corporations, and academia, is a dangerous development. This alliance, he argues, utilizes similar rationales as those used historically to justify censorship, citing concerns about ‘fake news’ and ‘disinformation’ as a justification for restricting free expression. This, Turley contends, is a dangerous slippery slope, threatening the very foundations of American democracy.
Despite the alarming rise of this anti-free speech movement, Turley remains hopeful. He maintains that the inherent human need for free speech will ultimately prevail. He believes that free expression is an integral part of what it means to be human, a fundamental right that cannot be truly suppressed. He draws a hopeful analogy, comparing the current situation to previous periods of societal upheaval and arguing that while free speech may be temporarily silenced, it will ultimately reassert itself, as it has throughout history.
Turley’s book serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of free speech and the ongoing struggle to protect it. It provides a historical context for the current threats to free expression, highlighting the dangers of government overreach and the potential for societal division to undermine fundamental rights. However, the book also offers a message of hope, reminding readers of the unwavering human spirit and the enduring power of free expression.
