The hottest Free speech Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top U.S. Politics Topics

Congress Must Pass KOSA By Christmas. The Only Obstacle Seems to be Meta’s Influence

After Babel • 1221 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Social media Child safety Lobbying Free speech
  1. The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) aims to protect children online by introducing stronger privacy settings and reducing harmful features on social media platforms.
  2. There is significant concern over the current impact of social media on kids, including issues like sextortion and mental health problems, which KOSA seeks to address.
  3. The bill has strong bipartisan support in Congress, but its progress is hindered by lobbying from major social media companies that fear regulation.

Substack, Nazis, Free Speech, and Me & Trump Is Popular Among Black Voters?

kareem • 7802 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Social Issues Presidential Election News Activism
  1. Kareem emphasizes the importance of treating everyone with love and respect, striving for a world where exploitation doesn't exist.
  2. Substack is under scrutiny for allowing hate speech content, sparking debates about free speech and censorship.
  3. Effective protest movements online can lead to positive changes in platforms' policies, demonstrating the impact of public activism.

The Fakers

Points And Figures • 932 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Activism Free speech Judiciary Political Commentary Social media
  1. SCOTUSblog has shifted from being neutral to more activist, particularly after controversial decisions like Dobbs. This change has disappointed some readers who valued its previous objectivity.
  2. There's a belief that angry reactions from people, especially on social media, are revealing their true, more extreme selves. This behavior sometimes leads to violent responses.
  3. The idea of 'free markets' is highlighted; when one platform leaves, another may fill the gap, showing that alternatives exist and can thrive based on demand.

Top North Carolina judge faces potential sanctions for talking about racial discrimination

Popular Information • 12539 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Judicial system Free speech Investigation Political Bias
  1. North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls is facing sanctions for speaking out about racial discrimination within the court system.
  2. Earls filed a lawsuit against the Judicial Standards Commission asserting her right to free speech as an elected Justice.
  3. There is a dispute over whether Earls' comments on systemic issues in the judiciary constitute protected political speech.
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On Don Lemon

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 10768 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Free speech Elon Musk
  1. Don Lemon sought a significant financial package, including an upfront payment, salary, equity stake, and extravagant perks like a Tesla Cybertruck and a private jet to Las Vegas.
  2. Despite past critiques, mainstream media are now portraying Lemon as a free speech hero due to his interactions involving Elon Musk.
  3. To access the full post and archives on Don Lemon, readers are encouraged to subscribe to Racket News for a 7-day free trial.

What the heck is free speech?

Random Minds by Katherine Brodsky • 220 implied HN points • 22 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Constitution Political Views Public Discourse
  1. Different people have their own ideas about what free speech means, which can lead to misunderstandings. It's important to clarify what we mean when we talk about it.
  2. The author sees free speech as mainly about being free from government punishment, but acknowledges there are limits to this freedom, like laws against violence.
  3. Private companies can set their own rules for speech on their platforms, and this shouldn't be mistaken for a violation of free speech rights.

Germany and Genocide

John’s Substack • 38 implied HN points • 16 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political speech International relations Free speech Activism
  1. Germany has a strong stance against supporting extremist political parties like the AfD, but there's a contradiction in its actions regarding international issues.
  2. The German government's support of Israel in the Gaza conflict raises questions about its commitment to free speech and protests within Germany.
  3. This situation highlights the ongoing debate about the values that different countries uphold and how they apply them in various contexts.

NZ’s Law Commission is proposing to make ‘misgendering’ and ‘deadnaming’ illegal – have your say via the Free Speech Union and tell them “not on my watch”.

A B’Old Woman • 539 implied HN points • 30 Jul 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Gender Rights Legislation Human Rights Hate Speech
  1. New Zealand's Law Commission wants to make 'misgendering' and 'deadnaming' illegal. This means using someone's old name or wrong pronouns could be against the law.
  2. If 'gender' and 'gender identity' are added to the Human Rights Act, it could lead to restrictions on what people can say. Many think this is a threat to free speech.
  3. People are encouraged to share their opinions with the Free Speech Union about these proposals. They can express their concerns and say they oppose the changes.

Sall Grover gets cancelled in New Zealand, as entirely expected.

A B’Old Woman • 1059 implied HN points • 26 Jun 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Cancel Culture Political Activism Civil Rights Public Policy
  1. Sall Grover's speaking event in New Zealand was canceled by a taxpayer-funded venue. This shows how some organizations can be influenced by public opinion.
  2. The Women's Rights Party is looking for alternate venues for the event and has a backup plan in place. They believe in standing up for free speech.
  3. Complaints were made against the event, but it's unclear how many were legitimate. It raises questions about how venues handle bookings based on public sentiment.

Financial Big Brother is Watching You

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 8813 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Surveillance Financial regulation Free speech
  1. Financial institutions are using transaction data to monitor for 'extremism indicators' like certain purchases or travel patterns.
  2. Financial surveillance, enhanced by AI, allows institutions to create detailed profiles of individuals and potentially restrict their access to financial services.
  3. The rise of 'political credit scores' may lead to non-illegal behaviors being punished effectively, similar to how speech is censored.

Is Elon Musk a raging free speech hypocrite?

Jeff Giesea • 539 implied HN points • 10 Aug 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Censorship Media Critique Public Figures Political Discourse
  1. Elon Musk often criticizes Western democracies like the UK for free speech restrictions but is quiet about countries with worse situations, such as Saudi Arabia and China.
  2. His approach to free speech seems inconsistent. While he claims to support it, some of his actions, like limiting competition on X, look hypocritical.
  3. Many feel Musk isn't doing a good job managing free expression on X. His spontaneous tweets and decisions can hurt the cause of free speech instead of helping it.

Meet the Censored: Me?

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 22417 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social media Free speech Media Coverage Censorship Journalism
  1. The project to uncover Twitter Files revealed a complex and organized system of content policing involving various government agencies and tech platforms.
  2. Suspension of journalist accounts for sharing information about Elon Musk's private jet highlighted the tensions between free speech and censorship.
  3. Elon Musk's involvement in the transparency of Twitter was met with conflicting reactions, ultimately leading to unexpected clashes with platforms like Substack.

What to watch for: free speech and the free press

The Watch • 536 implied HN points • 05 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Press freedom Media Regulation Civil Liberties
  1. There are serious concerns about how the current political climate could threaten the freedom of the press. Some politicians aim to make it easier to sue journalists, stifling critical coverage.
  2. The possibility of government retaliation against journalists is high. Officials may use government resources to target those who publish unflattering stories about them.
  3. Protests might be met with harsh responses from the government. There are fears that leaders will employ military force to suppress dissenting voices and silence activists.

Like fighting through molasses

Disaffected Newsletter • 1758 implied HN points • 25 Apr 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Legal rights Social media Cultural Issues
  1. People today often mix up their emotions with facts, making it hard to discuss important topics clearly. It's important to separate how we feel from what is actually true.
  2. When discussing free speech, some people feel the need to say they don't support hate to show they are 'good' people. This distracts from the main point about legal rights.
  3. Understanding the difference between emotions and facts can help maintain freedom of speech. Both sides of a discussion should focus on the facts, even if they disagree on feelings.

I got banned from BlueSky for committing wrongthink

The Dossier • 628 implied HN points • 18 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Social media Political Activism Censorship Political parties
  1. BlueSky was created to be a platform for free speech, but it has turned into a space for strict censorship and only allows certain political views.
  2. Users can be banned quickly for expressing unpopular opinions, showing that the platform may not truly support diverse ideas.
  3. The experience on BlueSky can be chaotic and filled with extreme viewpoints, making it feel unsafe for those with different beliefs.

Leading journalist calls Zuckerberg's free speech announcement "an invitation to genocide," EU parliamentarians petition for actions to mitigate the "systemic risk" of Elon Musk, and other lunacies

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 182 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Social media Censorship Corporate Influence
  1. Mark Zuckerberg announced a shift in Facebook's content policies, saying he wants to focus on free expression and simplify rules. He plans to phase out fact-checkers and bring back more political content.
  2. Some European leaders are expressing strong concerns about this approach, fearing it might lead to more dangerous speech online. They worry that American social media giants might undermine rules in Europe.
  3. There's a growing tension between American social media companies and European regulations, which could lead to major changes in how the internet operates in those regions.

Judge Blocks Montana Drag Ban Using Republican Rep. Braxton Mitchell's Own Words

Erin In The Morning • 5129 implied HN points • 28 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Free speech Discrimination LGBTQ+ Court ruling
  1. A federal judge blocked Montana's drag ban using the bill author's own words which were seen as discriminatory.
  2. The judge found the ban unconstitutional due to violations of first amendment rights on freedom of speech.
  3. The law was deemed overly vague and unconstitutional due to broad definitions that could impact various groups.

Trying to intimidate journalists is wrong

Unreported Truths • 31 implied HN points • 23 May 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Journalism Government oversight Public Discourse Political violence
  1. Intimidating journalists is not okay. Everyone should be able to share their work without fear of government retaliation.
  2. Even if you disagree with a journalist's point of view, supporting their right to speak is important for free speech.
  3. The First Amendment is crucial for allowing different ideas and opinions to exist, no matter how uncomfortable they may be.

Anatomy of a Hatchet Job

Castalia • 2597 implied HN points • 13 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Media Critique Content Moderation Online Platforms Cultural Issues
  1. Substack has a different approach to content moderation compared to major social media platforms, focusing on free speech rather than strict content controls. This has led to controversies about the type of content allowed on their platform.
  2. Recent articles have criticized Substack for hosting extremist content, sparking debates about the platform's moderation policies. Critics argue that having such content reflects poorly on Substack, while supporters argue it aligns with free speech principles.
  3. The tensions between traditional media and new platforms like Substack highlight a struggle over who gets to control public discourse. Some view Substack as a space for independent voices, while others see it as problematic for allowing potentially harmful content.

Today’s Censorship Is Personal

Human Flourishing • 2122 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Control Free speech Censorship Supreme Court First Amendment
  1. Governments throughout history have tried to control speech and communication channels.
  2. Technological advancements have made censorship more personal and affect the tools we use every day.
  3. The outcome of Missouri v. Biden case in 2024 will determine the scope of government censorship and impact fundamental rights.

The upcoming 'UNSILENCED' summit in Wellington NZ, and the city councillor who tried to silence it.

A B’Old Woman • 819 implied HN points • 14 May 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Ideology Free speech Political Activism Public Policy Social movements
  1. The UNSILENCED summit in Wellington, NZ, is set to discuss gender ideology and its recent changes in society. It's a chance for people to express their views and break the silence around this topic.
  2. There has been pushback against the summit from some local officials and activists, highlighting ongoing tensions over gender issues. Despite this, the event organizers and supporters are determined to proceed.
  3. Lawyers and free speech advocates are involved to protect the event from cancellation, showing the importance of free expression. The summit is seen as a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate about gender ideology.

Taxpayer Funded Censorship: How Government is Using Your Tax Dollars to Silence Your Voice

OpenTheBooks Substack • 349 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship Misinformation Government spending Public Health Free speech
  1. A huge amount of taxpayer money, over $127 million, went to studying and fighting COVID-related misinformation. Much of this funding was aimed at promoting public health recommendations.
  2. The government has been closely working with social media companies to tag and remove content labeled as misinformation, raising concerns about free speech and trust in scientific advice.
  3. There are worries that the government’s approach to dealing with misinformation could be biased, leading to silencing dissenting voices and further eroding public faith in authorities.

Jim Acosta's World Bends To Substack's Truth

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 49 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Journalism Public Discourse Free speech Political Commentary
  1. Jim Acosta has moved to Substack after leaving CNN, seeking a platform where he can express his views freely. It shows a shift in how journalists are approaching their work.
  2. Substack is seen as a space for diverse opinions and genuine conversations, contrary to the idea that it's just for conspiracy theories. This change reflects a growing interest in alternative media.
  3. There's a need to recognize different perspectives and the importance of free speech. Embracing all sides of a story can lead to a more balanced discussion.

American Censorship Intensifies in the Information War

Glenn’s Substack • 2 HN points • 05 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship Free speech Government Media Propaganda
  1. Censorship in the US is getting stronger, targeting various media and putting pressure on tech companies to limit certain viewpoints. This affects how people get information and what they can freely express online.
  2. The process of normalizing censorship often starts with small, seemingly justified actions, making it easier for the public to accept them over time. This 'slow boiling' approach gradually expands what speech is considered unacceptable.
  3. As the government and tech companies control more online speech, there's a growing call for alternative platforms that support free expression, highlighting the increasing need for forums where diverse opinions can be shared.

On Recent Developments at Substack

Welcome to Garbagetown • 2599 implied HN points • 04 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Online Platforms Social media Free speech Community Building
  1. Acknowledgement of issues with Substack's management of diverse opinions and policies on monetization
  2. The dilemma of deciding whether to stay on Substack despite hosting problematic content or to leave and potentially lose audience
  3. Concern about the online space being dominated by harmful voices if good actors continually leave platforms hosting problematic content

I Can’t Believe That Free Speech, Color Blindness, and Meritocracy Became Right-Wing Issues

I Might Be Wrong • 67 implied HN points • 21 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Meritocracy Political Ideology Activism
  1. Free speech, color blindness, and meritocracy have become associated with the right, even though they used to be core liberal values. It's surprising how politics has shifted these concepts.
  2. Many people on the left feel that America is fundamentally flawed, which can overshadow the progress that's actually been made. This mindset can lead to dismissing positive changes.
  3. Some radical left ideas don't reflect the views of the people they claim to advocate for, causing confusion and debate within the community about what true beliefs should be.

Who Owns the Megaphone?

Uncharted Territories • 1808 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Censorship Media influence Propaganda Free speech Information Control
  1. Throughout history, controlling the flow of information has been a key focus for those in power.
  2. The evolution of media, from books to radio to TV and now social media, has changed the landscape of public opinion.
  3. Balancing free speech with the dangers of misinformation in the digital age remains a complex challenge for society.