Freedom on Speech

Democrats are questioning the motives behind a long-running effort to survey college and university faculty, staff and students on intellectual freedom and viewpoint diversity. Republicans tout the bill as an effort to ensure students aren’t being shielded from unpopular views. The measure has cleared the House on a party line vote as Democrats argue the measure opens a Pandora’s Box of conflicts and confrontations.

A bill moving through the Florida legislature would ban the state’s public colleges and universities from “shielding” students from free speech. Barney Bishop an advocate for the bill says students should hear diverse viewpoints from speakers on campus—even if it’s something that makes them uncomfortable.