LND topic: free-speech page 1

free speech

When Silence Speaks Louder Than Words

February 17, 2026

At a recent press event, the head of the Berlin Film Festival, Tricia Tuttle, stood up for artists who choose to stay quiet about politics. This came after actors like Neil Patrick Harris and Michelle Yeoh dodged political questions during their time at the festival. Even the festival jury head, Wim

opinion

Standing Firm: A Gym Member's Fight for Free Expression

February 17, 2026

In a bold move, a California gym-goer chose to challenge the growing trend of political intolerance. Katie Zacharia, a loyal member of a local cardio kickboxing gym, found herself at the center of a heated debate when she was asked not to wear her Trump hat during classes. The trouble started when

politics

Film Festival Faces Heat Over Political Talk

February 15, 2026

The Berlinale has launched a defence for its jury after early criticism sparked by comments made at the opening press conference. The festival’s spokesperson highlighted that some remarks were taken out of context and urged a fair view of the artists involved. The core issue centres on the role o

crime

A Retired Cop's Facebook Fight and Unexpected Jail Time

February 15, 2026

Larry Bushart, a 61-year-old former cop, found himself in hot water after a heated Facebook debate. He was known for his strong left-leaning views in a conservative area of Tennessee. His online battles were intense, but he never expected them to land him in jail. It all started when a gunman kille

education

A Shift in Campus Culture: Students Push for Real Debate

February 13, 2026

Things are changing on college campuses. A professor at Tufts University thinks the days of extreme political correctness might be winding down. He says a new group of students is tired of all the performative politics and wants real discussions instead. These students don't want to be seen as the

politics

Free Speech Battles After Charlie Kirk’s Death

February 12, 2026

The death of right‑wing activist Charlie Kirk sparked a flood of lawsuits that show how people were targeted for their online comments. In one case, Larry Bushart, a retired officer in Lexington, Tennessee, was arrested after posting memes that mocked Republican mourners. Sheriff Nick Weems claim

opinion

Ethan Hawke's Hollywood Dilemma: Fear and Silence

January 29, 2026

Ethan Hawke, a well-known actor, recently shared his thoughts on the fear he feels when speaking out in Hollywood. He mentioned that he has never felt this kind of fear before, and it's not something he associates with America. This fear seems to be about saying the wrong thing and facing consequenc

politics

UK Government to Shift Focus from Non-Crime Hate Incidents to Real Crimes

January 26, 2026

The UK government has decided to change its approach to non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs). Instead of recording these incidents, they want police to focus on real crimes. NCHIs are not actual crimes, but they can still cause problems for people accused of them. These incidents can show up on police r

health

A Judge Steps In: Protecting Free Speech and Health Grants

January 12, 2026

A recent court decision has put a halt to the Trump administration's plan to cut funding for a major pediatric group. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) was set to lose nearly $12 million in grants, but a federal judge intervened. The judge found that the U. S. Department of Health and Human S

education

Harvard's Leader Speaks Out on Classroom Culture

January 12, 2026

Harvard's top leader, Alan Garber, recently shared his thoughts on free speech and learning in a podcast interview. He believes universities should focus on teaching students how to think critically, not just push political views. Garber thinks classrooms should be places for open debate, where stud