Unprotected Speech Cheat Sheet
While the Constitution provides robust free speech rights, not all speech is protected by the First Amendment. Explore the categories of speech that fall outside of constitutional protections.
Due Process on Campus
Students have rights within campus disciplinary proceedings that must be honored before someone accused of wrongdoing is found responsible or punished. Learn what these student rights are and how to spot warning signs that indicate student due process rights may be at risk.
Freedom of Conscience and Thought Reform on Campus
It is incredibly important that students be able to arrive at their beliefs freely and without coercion. Explore what constitutes freedom of conscience, and how viewpoint discrimination and thought reform threaten students’ fundamental right to freedom of conscience.
Religious Liberty on Campus
Religious liberty, one of our most fundamental and cherished freedoms, is protected under the establishment and free exercise clauses of the First Amendment. Despite these constitutional protections, religious liberty often comes under attack on our nations college campuses. Consult this primer to learn about your right to religious liberty on campus.
Free Speech in High School
The Supreme Court of the United States has provided a general outline of the First Amendment rights high school students enjoy in four landmark cases. Learn about the cases that establish the boundaries of high school students’ freedom of expression in school.
FIRE’s FAQ for Political Speech on Campus
Political speech is essential for democratic participation, but all too often — especially during an election year — rules related to political speech on campus are misunderstood, misstated, and misapplied. Here are FIRE’s answers to questions students have asked us time and time again.
Free Speech at Private Universities
While private school students’ rights are not guaranteed by the Constitution, that doesn’t necessarily mean that students at private institutions have no free speech rights. If you’re at a private institution, find out how to determine what your rights are and how to defend those rights.
First Amendment Library
Explore FIRE’s First Amendment Library to learn more about the five freedoms of the First Amendment: religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. This extensive resource includes case materials, essays, and timelines, all of which are incredibly helpful for understanding the First Amendment and its history.
First Amendment Library Free Speech Glossary
The First Amendment Library: Free Speech Glossary is your go-to resource for understanding terminology that appears in writings on the First Amendment. The Glossary provides definitions for over 75 essential terms.
Disinvitation Database
FIRE has been tracking one particular trend that undermines open discourse on college campuses: speaker disinvitations. Learn about the three types of disinvitations and this troubling phenomenon on campus.
FIRE’s Guides
FIRE’s Guides to Student Rights on Campus are our most thorough resources for students looking to learn about their rights on campus. Check out all five Guides, which cover: free speech on campus; due process and campus justice; student fees, funding, and legal equality on campus; religious liberty on campus; first-year orientation and thought reform on campus.
So to Speak
So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast takes an uncensored look at the world of free expression through personal stories and candid conversations. This free speech podcast is a great way to learn more about free expression from the leaders in the fight and to keep up to date with what’s happening on campus. Subscribe today!
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