Jacob Mchangama
@mchangama.bsky.social
1.5K followers 37 following 380 posts
Executive Director at @futurefreespeech.org, Research professor Vanderbilt University, Senior Fellow at FIRE, author of "Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media"
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mchangama.bsky.social
But in the European Union, the categories of illegal speech continue to grow. Therefore, the DSA, coupled with Europe’s growing crackdown on speech, will inevitably lead to increased censorship and over-removal of online content.
mchangama.bsky.social
Another critical point we discussed was how the Digital Services Act works in practice. While it may not specify the exact content that platforms must remove, it does require them to take down illegal content.
mchangama.bsky.social
Thoroughly enjoyed this conversation with Yascha Mounk, @noupside.bsky.social, and @jonrauch.bsky.social.

Some additional thoughts below ⏬
futurefreespeech.org
Defending free speech can be hard, especially when you disagree with it.

But during the live recording of The Good Fight podcast at our #FreeSpeechSummit2025, @mchangama.bsky.social said calling out hypocrisy when it comes to free speech advocacy is crucial.
mchangama.bsky.social
From dissidents and journalists to scholars and technologists, the Summit showcased the best of what a free exchange of ideas can achieve.

Grateful to everyone who joined us for an unforgettable weekend of insight and inspiration.
mchangama.bsky.social
This weekend in Nashville, voices from every corner of the world came together around a simple truth: Free expression is still the foundation of every free and flourishing society.

#FreeSpeechSummit2025 reminded us what happens when courage meets open dialogue.
mchangama.bsky.social
Had a fascinating conversation with @noupside.bsky.social, Yascha Mounk, and @jonrauch.bsky.social in a live recording of The Good Fight podcast from Persuasion.
mchangama.bsky.social
Kicking off #FreeSpeechSummit2025 by setting the stage and introducing @vanderbilt.edu Chancellor Daniel Diermeier.
mchangama.bsky.social
At @telegraphnews.bsky.social, I show how Britain went from being a beacon of free speech to punishing peaceful protest—while excusing violence committed in the name of offense. www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/09...
mchangama.bsky.social
In Persuasion, I explain why Europe learned the wrong lessons from the Cartoon Crisis—trading away liberty for a false sense of peace.
Europe Learned Nothing From the Danish Cartoon Affair
Twenty years later, blasphemy laws continue to stalk free societies.
www.persuasion.community
mchangama.bsky.social
20 years ago, 12 cartoons shook the world.

They sparked riots, terror attacks, and a lasting question: Do democracies still have the courage to defend free speech when it offends?

A short thread on why this moment still matters 🧵
Reposted by Jacob Mchangama
futurefreespeech.org
No one should ever be subjected to violence for sharing their opinion, no matter how unpopular. In a free and pluralistic society, we must accept that words are not violence, and we must condemn anyone who resorts to physical harm in response to speech they don’t like.
mchangama.bsky.social
I look forward to continuing the conversation and contributing to making Vanderbilt the #1 university for free expression. That conversation will continue in October at #FreeSpeechSummit2025: bsky.app/profile/futu...
futurefreespeech.org
In 25 days, we’ll come together in Nashville to discuss resilient solutions to today’s most pressing free speech challenges, both online and offline.

🔗 Apply to the #FreeSpeechSummit2025, hosted with @vanderbilt.edu: https://globalfreespeechsummit.com/
mchangama.bsky.social
And here’s how they compared to 18-34-year-old U.S. respondents from our global survey. The Vanderbilt students were much more speech protective than average young Americans on almost every issue.
mchangama.bsky.social
Here’s how they responded:
mchangama.bsky.social
I recently had the opportunity to guest lecture to a class of over 120 students, mostly freshmen and sophomores, where I surveyed them using the same questions as The Future of Free Speech Index 2025, our global survey of 33 countries. futurefreespeech.org/who-supports...
mchangama.bsky.social
I’m proud to call Vanderbilt home since 2023. And I’ve thoroughly enjoyed interacting with students and faculty in numerous panels, classes, debates, and events over the past two years, where we've grappled with free speech and difficult topics. www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKXE...
“Free Speech and Equality: Friends or Foes?” with Jacob Mchangama
YouTube video by Vanderbilt Law School
www.youtube.com
mchangama.bsky.social
Congrats to Vanderbilt, home of @futurefreespeech.org, for its climb to 7th in @thefireorg.bsky.social College Free Speech Rankings!