We expanded our mission to advance free speech on and off campus as the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. Just like any monumental occasion, this demands a proper celebration. We’re bringing together friends, allies, and supporters for a gala dinner and an unforgettable program lineup of free speech defenders. Together, let’s launch a new era of FIRE!
On Student Press Freedom Day itself, Thursday, February 23 at 4 p.m., join FIRE, Freedom Forum, and the Student Press Law Center in a virtual free press trivia night! Winners will be awarded prizes like Amazon gift cards and FIRE and SPFD swag. Register online in teams of four to join the fun, or if you're registering as an individual, we'll sort you into a team!
Join us for a virtual panel discussion on February 21 at 4 pm about FIRE and SPFI’s work with The Commonwealth Times defending the paper’s rights when faced with a lawsuit.
The School of Civic Life and Leadership at UNC Chapel Hill will features courses on history, literature, and political science, and will provide a space for students to “explore American civic values with the full freedom of expression."
FIRE obtained a copy of Indiana University School of Medicine’s training materials through a public records request that contained a link for faculty to sign an honor code pledging to “ensure that their views, beliefs, actions, and inactions do not, intentionally or unintentionally, perpetuate the problem of health care [sic] inequity.” FIRE wrote the university December 21 explaining that the honor code appeared to compel faculty speech in violation of their expressive rights and asked the university to clarify that signing the pledge was not mandatory. The university did not respond to the letter.
University responds to FIRE’s letter by insisting that no student is being “punished or investigated for reading a book,” instead citing concerns raised by other students about a social media photo.