Free speech in the West is Under Threat

What’s happening: Many expect Western countries to be strong on free speech, but the past few years have revealed an all-out assault on speech and expression freedoms.

Is this freedom? Europe’s freedom of speech protections have long come with many asterisks, including vague restrictions that are “necessary in a democratic society.” But recently, governments have increased anti-speech measures:

• The European Union: E.U. leadership in Brussels targeted Elon Musk’s X for not moderating content in their preferred manner.

• Germany: A 16-year-old girl was removed from school by police after posting a video supporting the populist AfD Party.

• Ireland: The Irish government was considering a bill that could have made it a crime to critique illegal immigrants.

• The United Kingdom: The government is adopting a new definition for extremism which now includes “intolerance.” Groups deemed “intolerant” would be banned from receiving taxpayer funding.

• Insults: More than 10 European countries make it a crime, punishable by large fines or jail time, to insult national leaders.

Canada, too: The Canadian parliament is considering a hate speech law that would introduce life sentences for certain speech violations.

Why it matters: Such restrictions could one day appear on America’s shores. Polling shows most Americans support the government’s censorship of “false” online information. Additionally, around one-third of Americans believe the First Amendment “goes too far in the rights it guarantees.”