My big John Cleese release, Neil Howe talks 'The Fourth Turning' & more!

Bringing you the latest free speech news (4/14/2024)

This coming week the ERI team is taking a break, but keep an eye out for the return of ERI with next weekend’s update, featuring guest-editor: Angel Eduardo!

Story of the week

• I had the profound pleasure of interviewing one of my idols, the legendary John Cleese, about free speech, comedy, and highlights from his illustrious career. Enjoy!

 This week in ERI

• My First Amendment concerns with ‘The Anxious Generation’ by me

International free speech stories of the week

• Hongkonger accused of insulting Chinese anthem at volleyball match sang ‘Do You Hear the People Sing,’ court hears (HKFP) by Hillary Leung

Chan Pak-yui, 21, appeared at Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday for the first day of his trial after pleading not guilty to the offence [sic] in December. He is accused of publicly and intentionally insulting the national anthem at the Hong Kong Coliseum on June 16 last year, when China played Bulgaria in the FIVB Volleyball Nations League Hong Kong match.

This week in FIRE’s blog

• As free speech controversies mount, Indiana University faculty pitch vote of no confidence in university leadership by Graham Piro

• Deplatforming attempts are surging in 2024 by Sean Stevens

London Calling: Ronnie’s First Amendment Rundown

This week the federal court in NYC dismissed claims by Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam against The Anti-Defamation League and Simon Wiesenthal Center for alleged defamation and violation of the First Amendment (by attempting to censor Farrakhan/the Nation) through repeated references to them as antisemitic.  The court held Farrakhan/the Nation do not have standing to bring claims that rely on ADL assertedly being a federal actor, and that statements referring to Farrakhan as antisemitic were non-actionable statements of opinion.

Podcast of the month

Last week I got to join the host of FIRE’s So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast host, Nico Perrino, to interview Neil Howe, the author of one of my favorite new books, The Fourth Turning Is Here (check out his Substack, Demography Unplugged . Enjoy!