The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression's mission is to defend and sustain the individual rights of all Americans to free speech and free thought — the most essential qualities of liberty. FIRE educates Americans about the importance of these inalienable rights, promotes a culture of respect for these rights, and provides the means to preserve them.
More About FIRE's Mission
We discuss the Supreme Court backing Maine lawmaker Laurel Libby, NPR filing suit against Trump, a years-long dispute over a student wearing a "there are only two genders" shirt, the Secret Service investigation into James Comey, the latest on...
WATCH TRAILER: Ira Glasser’s story is as timely and provocative as ever. Co-directed by FIRE Executive Vice President Nico Perrino.
Amid high-profile controversies surrounding free speech, racial equality, and anti-Semitism, Ira Glasser reflects on his life and career at the forefront of defending the rights of all Americans as the former executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union.
FIRE defends and promotes the individual rights of all Americans in our courtrooms, on our campuses, and in our culture.
Freedom of speech is a human right and a fundamental American freedom.
College faculty must be free to ask tough questions and facilitate learning without the threat of institutional censorship.
Due process demands that authorities provide fair, unbiased, and equitable procedures when determining a person’s guilt or innocence.
Freedom of the press protects the ability of journalists and news media to publish information free from official censorship.
Freedom of assembly is the right of individuals to come together to express shared ideas, and is guaranteed by the First Amendment.
Religious liberty is the right to follow the faith of your choice — or to follow no faith at all.
If you face retaliation over protected speech, or if you are a college student or faculty member whose First Amendment rights may have been violated on campus, reach out to FIRE to learn more about how we can protect your rights.
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.
FIRE strategically litigates in courts nationwide to vindicate the First Amendment and due process rights of everyday Americans.
FIRE’s College Policy Reform team works to proactively and systematically challenge campus policies that violate the free speech rights of students and faculty.
FIRE defends your individual rights at the state and federal level by advocating for rights-protective legislation and against bills that would abridge those rights.
The largest report of its kind, the rankings draw from more than 58,000 student responses representing more than 250 colleges and universities nationwide and are designed to help parents and prospective students choose the right school.
| Rank | School | Overall | Speech Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Virginia Public | 73.41/100 | Green |
| 2 | Michigan Technological University Public | 73.15/100 | Green |
| 3 | Florida State University Public | 72.46/100 | Green |
| 4 | Eastern Kentucky University Public | 69.60/100 | Green |
| 5 | Georgia Institute of Technology Public | 69.39/100 | Green |
| 6 | Claremont McKenna College Private | 69.15/100 | Green |
| 7 | North Carolina State University - Raleigh Public | 68.44/100 | Green |
| 8 | Oregon State University Public | 67.26/100 | Green |
| 9 | University of North Carolina - Charlotte Public | 66.51/100 | Green |
| 10 | Mississippi State University Public | 66.14/100 | Green |
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