The hottest Free speech Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways

'Woke' might not be the enemy, but it still deserves critique

Odds and Ends of History • 1608 implied HN points • 26 Mar 26

🎭️ Culture Free speech

Focusing on "woke" controversies often distracted people from the much bigger danger of rising right-wing authoritarianism and authoritarian politicians.
Criticism of "woke" ideas from within the left isn’t inherently misguided; internal critique can help the left stay effective, accountable, and appealing.
People on the centre-left should reprioritize to confront authoritarian threats while still debating cultural issues so those debates strengthen rather than weaken progressive politics.

CIA Prepares Criminal Referral of Tucker Carlson, as Israel and Its Loyalists Demand His Arrest

Glenn Greenwald • 6506 implied HN points • 15 Mar 26

🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech

U.S. intelligence is reportedly preparing a criminal referral against a high-profile journalist over his communications with Iranian contacts, suggesting journalists could be prosecuted for critical war reporting.
Influential Israeli-aligned voices and their U.S. allies pushed an orchestrated campaign demanding his arrest, showing growing efforts to punish and intimidate critics of Israel and the Trump-Netanyahu war.
Evidence points to domestic and allied surveillance of the journalist’s communications, highlighting how spying and legal pressure can be used to chill independent reporting and free speech.

Theo van Gogh

Pieter’s Newsletter • 179 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24

🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech

The murder of Theo van Gogh highlighted deep fears in Dutch society regarding immigration and integration. His death showed that tensions around multiculturalism were rising and that many people were worried about the impact of these changes.
Even after twenty years, many western countries are still struggling to manage immigration and understand the importance of integration. Issues about newcomers and their cultural backgrounds remain divisive.
New voices from the immigrant community are starting to emerge, advocating for democracy and western values. These individuals, like Lale Gül and Afshin Ellian, represent a hopeful shift towards finding common ground in a diverse society.

Afroman Is an American Hero

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 616 implied HN points • 20 Mar 26

🎭️ Culture Free speech

Afroman used the First Amendment to fight back and won a court victory, showing free speech can protect people who speak out.
Police raided his home while he was performing, caused heavy damage and seized cash. They found no incriminating evidence or filed charges, which suggests police overreach.
The case shows recordings, public exposure, and lawsuits can be used to hold law enforcement accountable and defend individual rights.

The Federal AI Policy Framework: An Improvement, But My Offer Is (Still Almost) Nothing

Don't Worry About the Vase • 1433 implied HN points • 20 Mar 26

🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech

The federal framework mainly aims to preempt state AI laws and acts as a moratorium, while offering little concrete federal regulation beyond modest programs.
It does include some welcome elements like protections against federal censorship, child safety measures (age assurance), and support for infrastructure and workforce programs.
A major flaw is that it ignores frontier and existential AI risks and has no transparency requirements, and it would block states from addressing those risks unless an exception for frontier-risk laws is added.

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Did You Hurt Someone’s Dignity? In Canada, It Can Cost You.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 737 implied HN points • 18 Mar 26

📰 News Free speech

Canada’s human rights tribunals can impose very large financial penalties for speech judged to harm someone’s dignity; one recent case resulted in a CAD$750,000 order.
Those tribunals are administrative bodies with looser procedures than courts and may allow complainants to remain anonymous. Their decisions are rarely overturned on judicial review.
This enforcement effectively polices expression and creates a chilling effect, making people worry they might be financially ruined for expressing certain views.

The One Line Inside VOA’s Lawsuit That Could Change Everything

Weaponized • 21 implied HN points • 24 Mar 26

🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech

Veteran VOA staff sued, saying Trump administration officials, including the USAGM head, turned the outlet into a propaganda arm and illegally interfered with reporting.
Reporters say negative stories were suppressed and they were sometimes forced to publish White House talking points word-for-word.
The complaint alleges AI-generated or AI-assisted content was used to slip pro-Trump narratives into VOA broadcasts, bypassing editorial safeguards and undermining the outlet’s independence.

Ben Shapiro: Criticism Isn’t Censorship

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2109 implied HN points • 13 Mar 26

🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech

Calling public figures 'cowardly' or 'unhinged' is not censorship but part of the normal give-and-take of political debate.
The critique of Tucker Carlson centers on his Russia trip, praise of Moscow institutions, and his decision to platform Nick Fuentes, which indicate he has drifted from traditional conservatism.
The issue with Megyn Kelly arose from her defense or mischaracterization of Candace Owens' remarks about Erika Kirk, showing the criticism targets specific actions and associations rather than a single issue like Israel.

How Powerful People Became Obsessed w/ Section 230

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 1731 implied HN points • 18 Mar 26

🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech

Independent creators are stuck on a publishing hamster wheel where taking breaks risks losing subscribers, which leads to burnout and constant work.
There’s almost no funding for long investigative projects, so creators rely on paid subscriptions to subsidize important but unprofitable coverage; without steady support those projects can’t happen.
Section 230 has become a political lightning rod full of misconceptions, and repealing it would likely make big platforms more powerful, so myth-busting and clear public education are crucial.

The Attacks on Free Speech in the West to Protect Israel: on Tucker Carlson's Program

Glenn Greenwald • 552 implied HN points • 16 Mar 26

🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech

Free speech in Western democracies is being aggressively eroded to stop criticism of Israel and its supporters.
Governments, institutions, and social pressures are increasingly used to silence dissent, and this trend is rapid and widespread.
These free-speech fights are tied to geopolitical developments, including growing tensions involving Trump, Netanyahu, and conflicts with Iran.

Highlights From The Comments On Scott Adams

Astral Codex Ten • 19959 implied HN points • 21 Jan 26

🎭️ Culture Free speech

Publishing a mixed memorial right after someone's death can be justified if it honestly balances praise and criticism; readers were divided but many accepted the tone and noted the subject had positively influenced others.
Readers pushed back on factual and tonal points and prompted corrections—he wasn’t an ivermectin true believer, the phrase about “lesser humans” was unfair, and his podcast reached and helped more people than initially claimed.
His persuasion work and race-related remarks generated intense debate: some praised his practical advice and reframes, while others condemned his racial comments and exaggerations as harmful, even if outright cancellation wasn’t universally supported.

Welcome Back to Substack!

Glenn Greenwald • 8151 implied HN points • 09 Feb 26

📰 News Free speech

Returning to Substack to center on long-form independent journalism after a period producing a nightly live show on another platform.
Plans to use Substack’s expanded tools—Notes, video hosting, podcasts, and subscription tiers—to publish short updates, video-first segments, and in-depth reporting.
A strong commitment to defending independent media and free expression while continuing to report on foreign wars, surveillance, the security state, and threats to civil liberties.

Tell Iranian And Cuban Diaspora Warmongers To Shut The Fuck Up

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2817 implied HN points • 22 Feb 26

🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech

Some people from the Iranian or Cuban diaspora push for US military intervention and try to silence critics, and those bullying tactics should be called out. You don’t have to defer to them just because of their family background.
Opposing imperialist wars and sanctions is everyone’s right, even if you aren’t from the targeted country. Lived experience doesn’t give anyone a veto over criticizing warmongering policies.
Backing US interventions or the economic strangling of countries is morally wrong and often serves powerful, dangerous interests. People who advance those agendas should be opposed, not given special deference.

Why I Let Anti-Israel Protesters Interrupt My Talk

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 4164 implied HN points • 08 Feb 26

🚌 Education Free speech

A lecture focused on Jewish history highlighted how displacement and mass death shaped Israeli identity and politics.
Masked, keffiyeh-wearing anti-Israel protesters interrupted the event, a form of disruption that has become routine on many U.S. campuses.
Rather than shut them down, the lecturer let the interruption happen and turned it into a teaching moment, keeping most of the protesters until the end.

The 'Situation Monitoring' Products Flooding The Web

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 1522 implied HN points • 02 Mar 26

🕹 Technology Free speech

New age‑verification and “child safety” laws are pushing platforms to collect identities and pre‑comply, which removes online anonymity and makes it easy for governments or companies to track and censor journalists, activists, and marginalized people.
There is little solid evidence that social media is causing a broad youth mental‑health crisis, yet that panic is being used as a pretext to pass sweeping surveillance and access‑limiting laws.
Efforts to weaken Section 230 and the spread of situation‑monitoring or Palantir‑style tools are being used by anti‑abortion and other groups to restrict access to reproductive health information and expand online censorship.

Privatizing the Airwaves

David Friedman’s Substack • 188 implied HN points • 17 Mar 26

🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech

Print media thrive on private ownership, so anyone willing to pay can publish niche or offensive views, while broadcasters self-censor because they rely on government-owned airwaves and licenses.
Because the airwaves are scarce public property, regulators must ration access and enforce a vague "public interest" standard, which pushes broadcasters to avoid controversial content.
Turning frequencies into private property through auctions would let owners decide what to air, likely increasing diversity and allowing more controversial or niche speech on the airwaves.

In Australia The Police Beat You Up For Opposing Genocide

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2388 implied HN points • 10 Feb 26

🌍 World Politics Free speech

Police violently suppressed pro-Palestine protests, with videos showing force used on people who appeared to be complying or praying.
New laws and bans on phrases, along with pressure from a powerful lobby, are being used to criminalize and chill pro-Palestine speech and protest.
Without a national bill of rights, Australian civil liberties are weak, so protecting free speech and the right to protest is urgent.

Mob Rule Comes for My Yoga Studio

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2425 implied HN points • 08 Feb 26

🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech

A yoga studio confrontation in Minneapolis involved crowds berating staff over alleged removal of anti‑ICE signs, with shouting, clapping, and crowd pressure.
The scene is described as part of a broader pattern where public spaces are increasingly taken over by shouted ideology, shunning, and 2020‑style mob behavior.
That atmosphere of public shaming and ideological enforcement is pushing longtime residents to leave the city.

Yes, You Do Have to Tolerate the Intolerant

Yascha Mounk • 4456 implied HN points • 08 Aug 24

🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech

You need to tolerate different opinions, even those you disagree with. This helps maintain a fair society where ideas can openly clash.
Censoring ideas can lead to more harm than good. It’s better to counter harmful thoughts with discussion and argument instead of shutting them down.
Embracing free speech has historically led to progress. Societies that allow free debate are often less prejudiced over time, showing that open conversation can make a difference.

They're Trying To Kill The Internet As We Know It

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 2448 implied HN points • 09 Feb 26

🕹 Technology Free speech

Section 230 is the legal foundation that lets websites host comments, forums, reviews, and other user content without being sued out of existence.
Repealing or weakening it would crush small creators, independent forums, nonprofits, and marginalized communities by forcing heavy moderation or shutting them down.
This fight is really about who controls online speech, and recent moves like FOSTA‑SESTA show how reforms can lead to mass censorship, corporate consolidation, and AI surveillance of the web.

The commenters won

Read Max • 3451 implied HN points • 23 Jan 26

🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech

Several Trump administration officials were shaped by experiences in online comment sections, and one senior official, Sarah B. Rogers, has said she used multiple Gawker accounts to defend herself against criticism.
Being repeatedly ignored, silenced, or treated as subordinate in comment communities creates a lasting resentment, and that online grievance can push people toward populist, Trump-style politics.
Early Gawker commenters were often midcareer media, tech, finance, and law professionals who grew alienated as sites shifted culturally, and that sense of ownership and bitterness in comment culture helped drive some toward the political right.

Tim Walz And Free Speech

Erick Erickson's Confessions of a Political Junkie • 939 implied HN points • 02 Oct 24

🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech

Tim Walz argued that there should be limits on free speech, using the example of shouting fire in a crowded theater. This example is often misunderstood and complicated.
Many people believe that free speech should have boundaries to protect others, but the debate is often more complex than it seems.
It is important to critically evaluate arguments about free speech, understanding the nuances behind different perspectives.

Alex Pretti Was Murdered by the State

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 1987 implied HN points • 27 Jan 26

🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech

Alex Pretti’s death is presented as a killing by the state, and denying that is framed as spreading authoritarian propaganda.
Modern media forces everyone into nonstop punditry, which turns politics into performative purity acts and privateizes our shared responsibilities.
True liberalism should protect a neutral public sphere, resist coercive enforcement of beliefs, and demand honesty instead of becoming another regime.

The Israeli Government Put My Name At The Top Of An 'Antisemite' List

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 3893 implied HN points • 30 Dec 25

🌍 World Politics Free speech

An Israeli government report publicly listed Australian influencers and highlighted social media posts, labeling them as promoters of antisemitism and “delegitimization” of Israel.
The report implied online criticism helped inspire the Bondi Beach attack, a claim many see as weak and misleading, and its narrative is being used to push for tougher limits on speech and assembly.
Those named view the dossier as both an intimidation tactic and proof their criticism has impact, while critics warn that equating opposition to Israeli policies with hatred of Jews silences legitimate dissent.

Stop Asking Olympians How They Feel About America

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 983 implied HN points • 10 Feb 26

🎭️ Culture Free speech

When athletes voice mixed feelings about U.S. policies they often face sharp public and political attacks, as happened with a recent skier and the president.
Asking Olympians to weigh in on national politics creates predictable controversy and shifts attention away from the sport itself.
The episode also underscores that we live in a country where people can criticize leaders and be criticized in return, and then carry on with their lives.

Oppose Israel's Abuses While You Still Can

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2007 implied HN points • 22 Jan 26

🌍 World Politics Free speech

It is still legal in Australia to criticize Israel, join pro‑Palestine groups, and attend most pro‑Palestine marches, so people should keep speaking out while those rights remain intact.
New hate‑speech/speech‑suppression laws create a real risk that pro‑Palestine groups could be labeled and banned, chilling activism, so those laws need to be opposed and repealed before they’re abused.
This fight is about defending civil rights and free speech as much as it is about Gaza, so urgent, persistent, and defiant activism is needed to protect those freedoms from lobby efforts that aim to suppress dissent.

These Abuses Will Continue Until People Force Them To Stop

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2621 implied HN points • 09 Jan 26

🌍 World Politics Free speech

The current US-led capitalist order keeps producing worsening abuses like growing authoritarianism, militarized policing, expanding wars, rising inequality, and ecological collapse.
Electoral politics alone can't fix this because the system is locked and swapping parties just replaces one set of abuses with another.
The only viable path to real change is mass popular action — people organizing together and using their numbers to force the powerful to stop.

Australia's Frightening New "Hate Speech" Laws Are Clearly Aimed At Pro-Palestine Groups

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1839 implied HN points • 21 Jan 26

🌍 World Politics Free speech

Australia’s new hate speech laws are written so vaguely that pro‑Palestine groups who criticise Israel could be labelled “hate groups” and banned, with security agencies involved and penalties of up to 15 years for associating with them.
The passed bill is a narrowed version of an earlier draft that would have targeted individuals, but powerful pro‑Israel groups are already pushing to bring back harsher vilification laws that would criminalise individual criticism.
Civil‑liberties advocates warn the laws lower the threshold for censoring political speech, lack clear procedural safeguards, and risk silencing normal dissent and protest activity.

The War On Free Speech In Australia Is Getting Cartoonishly Absurd

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1993 implied HN points • 17 Jan 26

🌍 World Politics Free speech

Australian hate-speech laws are already being used to criminalize trivial or accidental behavior, and proposed new legislation would give authorities even more power to punish speech.
A recent attack is being used as an excuse to rush through broad laws that target pro-Palestine protest and criticism of Israel, even though the connection is weak or manufactured.
This pattern is an assault on civil liberties that relies on censorship and legal intimidation, and it needs to be actively resisted to protect political dissent.

Is Germany Previewing America's Speech Future?

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 4539 implied HN points • 06 Dec 25

🌍 World Politics Free speech

German authorities are increasingly policing speech aggressively, using raids, fines, and criminal charges even for satire or criticism.
A large censorship industry of NGOs, academics, contractors, and state bodies is monitoring and scoring content, with hundreds or even thousands of groups and grants shaping what gets flagged or removed.
The overlap of police, private groups, and bureaucracies — plus invasive scanning of communications — creates a whole-of-society censorship model that risks spreading and chilling dissent beyond Europe.

Tim Walz ‘Crowded Theater’ Argument Is Misinformation

The Take (by Jon Miltimore) • 356 implied HN points • 07 Oct 24

🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech

The 'crowded theater' saying isn't a real Supreme Court test, and it never was used in the case that Tim Walz mentioned. It's a misconception that people often use when talking about free speech.
The Supreme Court case he referred to, Schenck v. United States, was actually about distributing anti-draft leaflets, not yelling fire in a crowded place. So, Walz's argument doesn't really hold up.
Citing the 'crowded theater' idea can be dangerous because it can justify limiting free speech, especially unpopular speech. History shows that suppressing free speech often leads to larger problems.

The Campaign to Crush Free Speech in Minnesota

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1581 implied HN points • 21 Jan 26

🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech

Recent protests in Minneapolis show which kinds of speech the First Amendment protects and which, like true incitement, are not protected.
Federal grand jury subpoenas for the governor, mayor, and other officials show authorities are treating political criticism and public statements as potential criminal incitement tied to obstruction of immigration enforcement.
The episode is a warning that when officials conflate angry but lawful political speech with criminal conduct, it risks chilling public debate and undermining commitment to free speech.

Australia's Lack Of Speech Protections Means We Should Be MORE Hostile To Speech Regulation

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1438 implied HN points • 25 Jan 26

🌍 World Politics Free speech

Because Australia has no national bill of rights or constitutional free speech protections, governments can more easily pass and defend laws that silence critics.
Recent 'hate speech' laws and prosecutions show those powers are being used to suppress protest and dissent, especially around criticism of Israel.
Australia needs a national bill of rights to protect free expression, and meanwhile people must resist speech restrictions more aggressively than in countries with stronger legal safeguards.

Anti-Jew Bigotry Will Not Be Tolerated Here

Disaffected Newsletter • 3337 implied HN points • 10 Jul 24

🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech

No anti-Jewish bigotry will be allowed. This means any hateful comments or discrimination against Jewish people will not be tolerated.
There's a difference between discussing issues related to Jewish identities and promoting bigotry. It's important to have rational conversations without being hateful.
If someone breaks these rules, they will be asked to leave. There won't be chances for explanations or discussions about it.

The Censorship Industrial Complex's Power Grip in Germany

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 4064 implied HN points • 24 Nov 25

🌍 World Politics Free speech

Germany has an extensive, mostly government-funded network of organizations and grants that monitor and control online content, involving hundreds of groups and millions in public funding.
Government-certified "trusted flaggers" and funded NGOs actively report and push for removal of speech, sometimes triggering police action or prosecutions for insults or dissenting views.
The combined effect is a chilling atmosphere where many people avoid expressing political opinions and public debate is narrowed, with high-profile firings and raids showing real consequences.

The Bill of Wrongs

Thinking about... • 752 implied HN points • 26 Jan 26

🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech

Basic rights and legal protections are stripped away, so freedoms like speech, privacy, a fair trial, and protection from cruel punishments become conditional on the leader’s will.
All authority is concentrated in a cult-like leader who is immune from prosecution, can declare truth, command militias and soldiers, and even quarter troops in private homes without consent.
Democratic checks and state powers are hollowed out and replaced by financial extraction and oligarchic control, with elections turned into appearances and power handed to wealthy elites and foreign interests.

If You're Not Free To Oppose A Genocide, Your Society Is Not Free

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2514 implied HN points • 21 Dec 25

🌍 World Politics Free speech

True free speech includes the right to fiercely oppose a genocide; without that right, freedom of speech is essentially meaningless.
Governments are using arrests and protest bans—often backed by shaky claims—to silence pro‑Palestinian and anti‑genocide voices, threatening basic civil liberties.
Those crackdowns mainly protect politicians, arms manufacturers, media and billionaires, exposing how the appearance of freedom can be pulled back when it becomes inconvenient for the powerful.

They Feign Concern About Pro-Palestine Chants In Order To Shut Down Pro-Palestine Protests

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1909 implied HN points • 28 Dec 25

🌍 World Politics Free speech

People who back the establishment often pretend they’re worried about protest chants or methods as a way to shut down pro-Palestine protests.
This is a common tactic: critics will attack the way people protest rather than the issues those protests raise, which keeps the status quo intact.
Across countries and institutions, arrests, laws, and censorship are being framed as safety concerns but actually make it harder to criticize Israel; watch their actions, not their words.

Brendan Carr Once Defended Free Speech. Now He Is Trump’s Chief Censor.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 306 implied HN points • 19 Feb 26

🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech

Republicans loudly condemned the Biden administration for silencing dissent, but now that they’re in power those First Amendment worries have largely vanished.
Brendan Carr, once a vocal defender of free speech, is now leading efforts to pressure platforms to censor critics under the Trump administration.
During COVID, social platforms suppressed dissenting scientists—blacklisting, banning, and deleting content—which shows how content moderation can stifle alternative viewpoints.

Notes On Bondi Beach And Free Speech

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1951 implied HN points • 22 Dec 25

🌍 World Politics Free speech

It’s absurd to claim pro-Palestine protests caused the Bondi Beach shooting, and that story is being pushed to justify banning protests and outlawing criticism of Israel.
Supporters of Israel are deliberately conflating criticism of the state with antisemitism and spreading dishonest narratives to defend apartheid and genocidal policies.
The attack is being cynically politicized to silence dissent, so people must speak up to protect free speech and keep anti‑genocide protests legal.