Free Speech on Trial: From Socrates to Social Media

Many today claim that free speech is uniquely in crisis — which poses a threat to our free and democratic society.

Others see an unalloyed commitment to free speech as a danger to higher social goods, such as social inclusion...

But what is free speech? Why does it matter? Is it at risk? And how can understanding its past help us evaluate its situation today?

Some may not realize that the roots of free speech are ancient, deep and sprawling... they are under attack now and, perhaps surprisingly to some, always have been.

But what have been the justifications for limiting free speech, both in ancient history and today? What helped preserve this notion again and again? And is it worth protecting this time around?

Join us on Wednesday, January 25th, 2023 (Noon EST) to discover the history of free speech, from socrates to social media, to shed light on this extremely important topic.

Featuring Jacob Mchangama, CEO of Justitia and the Future of Free Speech Project, as well as author of “Free Speech: A History From Socrates to Social Media”, Anya Leonard, Founder and Director of Classical Wisdom and Alexandra Hudson, Curator of Civic Renaissance.

***Register today and you can win a copy of Jacob’s book, "Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media". In fact, we’ll be giving away FIVE copies (US only).

Famed political satirist, P.J. O’Rourke described Jacob’s book as:

“The best history of free speech ever written and the best defense of free speech ever made.”

Can't join us on the day? We don't want you to miss out on these valuable lessons... if you register in advance, we'll send you a recording afterwards!

About our Speakers:

Jacob Mchangama is CEO of Justitia and the Future of Free Speech Project. He has written and commented extensively on free speech and human rights in international media outlets including the Economist, Washington Post, BBC, CBS News, NPR, CNN, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, The Wall Street Journal, Politico as well as academic and peer-reviewed journals. He is the producer and narrator of the podcast “Clear and Present” Danger: A History of Free Speech and the critically acclaimed book “Free Speech: A History From Socrates to Social Media” published by Basic Books in 2022.

Alexandra Hudson is an award winning journalist, author, and speaker, as well as the founder of Civic Renaissance, a newsletter and intellectual community dedicated to moral and cultural renewal.

Anya Leonard is the Founder and Director of Classical Wisdom, a site dedicated to bringing ancient wisdom to modern minds. Co-founded in 2013 with Bill Bonner, in conjunction with Les Belles Lettres, the French publishing house. Since inception, Classical Wisdom has grown into one of the largest online independent publishers dedicated to the ancient world. Anya has recently published a children’s book, "Sappho: The Lost Poetess", dedicated to the life, works and remarkable recent discovery of a poem written by the 7th century Poetess, Sappho.

This event is brought to you by Classical Wisdom and Civic Renassiance

https://classicalwisdom.com/

https://www.civic-renaissance.com/