Freedom of speech is a human right and a fundamental American freedom. It’s essential for democracy, scientific progress, artistic expression, social justice, peace, and each individual’s ability to live authentically.
Arguments for freedom: The many reasons why free speech is essential
At FIRE, we believe free speech is a force for good and have been defending free speech since 1999. We also know free speech is under threat.
FIRE’s vision is an America in which people overwhelmingly believe in the right of others to freely express views different from their own, and expect their laws and educational institutions to reflect and teach this belief.
WATCH VIDEO: In the final installment of a two-part episode of 1AX, FIRE follows Trump's escalating use of government power against protected speech since January 2025.
President Trump came back to office in 2025 promising to stop government censorship. But the first 18 months of the second Trump administration have resulted in more high-profile government censorship, not less. What started as a dramatic clash over press freedom has expanded into a nationwide censorship campaign, from college campuses to the streets of Minneapolis.
The largest report of its kind, the rankings draw from nearly 63,000 student respondents from 261 colleges and universities and are designed to help parents and prospective students choose the right school.
| Rank | School | Overall | Speech Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Chicago Private | 81.42/100 | Green |
| 2 | Claremont McKenna College Private | 80.13/100 | Green |
| 3 | Georgia Institute of Technology Public | 78.98/100 | Green |
| 4 | Michigan Technological University Public | 78.72/100 | Green |
| 5 | Vanderbilt University Private | 77.09/100 | Green |
| 6 | Dartmouth College Private | 76.96/100 | Green |
| 7 | Purdue University Public | 76.90/100 | Green |
| 8 | Appalachian State University Public | 76.40/100 | Green |
| 9 | University of Virginia Public | 75.98/100 | Green |
| 10 | George Mason University Public | 75.97/100 | Green |
Staying positive while fighting for my rights for years wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. We all need to speak up when someone tries to take our rights away — our voice is way too powerful to let anyone shut it down.
The University of Tennessee’s College of pharmacy twice investigated graduate student Kim Diei over vague professionalism policies after an anonymous complaint about her sex-positive social media content. So in February 2021 — represented by FIRE — Diei sued UT administrators so she and her classmates no longer face this unconstitutional threat that their expression on personal social media will endanger their education. Now they’ll pay a $250K lawsuit settlement!
If you face retaliation over protected speech, reach out to FIRE to learn more about how we can protect your rights.
I have been harassed, trespassed, handcuffed and arrested countless times for peacefully exercising my First Amendment rights. My intention is to ensure that all Americans from the wealthiest millionaire to the poorest homeless person can exercise these rights without fear of consequence from our government.
Jeff Gray, a U.S. Army veteran and retired truck driver, has been repeatedly stopped, detained, searched, and arrested by the police. His alleged crime? Holding signs — in front of city halls across the United States. FIRE filed three lawsuits on his behalf to vindicate his constitutional rights and won them all!
Learn more about your free speech rights in FIRE's research library.
The assassination of Charlie Kirk generated a wave of censorship at America's colleges over the past year, further contributing to a climate in which too many students fear expressing themselves on campus.
"Rather than view the tragedy as a warning about the extreme results of partisanship and inability to peacefully engage in dialogue, many college admins took it as an invitation to double down on censorship," said FIRE Chief Researcher Sean Stevens.
FIRE has distributed more than 138,000 print and online copies of its Guide to Free Speech on Campus to equip students with the rhetorical and legal tools to stand up for their rights. Explore the Guide to learn more about your rights.
The National Speech Index is a quarterly poll designed by FIRE and conducted by the Dartmouth Polarization Research Lab to capture Americans’ views on freedom of speech and the First Amendment, and to track how Americans’ views change over time.
FIRE defends and sustains the individual rights of all Americans to free speech and free thought — the essential qualities of liberty — and carries out this mission through several core services.
FIRE’s signature, core defense program provides free, non-legal assistance to individuals whose fundamental civil liberties are violated.
Facing censorship or retaliation for protected speech? FIRE lawyers are here to help you when your free speech rights are violated.
FIRE’s College Policy Reform team works proactively to challenge campus policies that violate the free speech rights of students and faculty.
FIRE advocates on behalf of legislation that will protect First Amendment rights, and against bills that would abridge those rights.
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