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The Battle For Free Speech

The Battle For Free Speech

By: Journalist Michael Fox The Real News Network
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This year, the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary. But there’s a problem. Our most basic freedom — the freedom of speech — is under attack. In this immersive series, hosts Marc Steiner and Michael Fox take you on a journey to look at the threats to free speech, from Trump to Silicon Valley. They look at the history of the fight for free speech and the battle being waged over it today, within the United States and abroad.

Marc Steiner is the host of the Marc Steiner Show and a longtime community organizer and activist.

Michael Fox is the host of the podcasts Under the Shadow and Stories of Resistance.

The Battle for Free Speech is brought to you by The Real News Network.The Real News Network (TRNN) Political Science Politics & Government Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Fired & Jailed: Attacks on Free Speech Under Trump

    Fired & Jailed: Attacks on Free Speech Under Trump
    Jun 4 2026
    Mahmoud Khalil was detained and arrested at his Manhattan apartment. The video is chilling. Plainclothes agents are there. They refuse to give their names. He’s handcuffed and shoved into the back of a car. His wife — eight months pregnant — watches and tries to understand what’s happening.This is not a scene from some dark chapter of a distant past filled with black-and-white photos of bygone dictatorships. This happened here, in the United States of America, in 2025.In this podcast series, in the lead-up to the country’s 250th anniversary, journalists Michael Fox and Marc Steiner look at the battle for our free speech rights today, and attacks on people speaking out in the United States.Hosted by Michael Fox and Marc Steiner. Theme music by Michael Fox, Jordan Klein, and Daniel Nuñez. Other music from Blue Dot Sessions and Epidemic Sound. Production and Sound Design by Michael Fox and Stephen Frank. Editorial support by: Kayla Rivara and Heather Gies. Research by Ben Schweiger.Guests: Lisa Femia, Staff Attorney, Electronic Frontier FoundationCorinna Mullin, CUNY professorDavid Rubin, Staff Attorney, Foundation for Individual Rights and ExpressionAllen Chaney, Legal Director, ACLU - South CarolinaResources: The Charlie Kirk purge: How 600 Americans were punished in a pro-Trump crackdown Clemson Settles With Professor Fired for Kirk CommentsRetired police officer jailed over Charlie Kirk post settles lawsuit for more than $800K The war on our sightFollow The Battle For Free Speech on Spotify or Apple PodcastsSign up for our newsletter and never miss an episodeFollow us on:Bluesky: @therealnews.comFacebook: The Real News NetworkTwitter: @TheRealNewsYouTube: @therealnewsInstagram: @therealnewsnetwork
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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • Trailer: The Battle For Free Speech

    Trailer: The Battle For Free Speech
    May 28 2026
    This year, the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary. But there’s a problem. Our most basic freedom — the freedom of speech — is under attack. In this immersive series, hosts Marc Steiner and Michael Fox take you on a journey to look at the threats to free speech, from Trump to Silicon Valley. They look at the history of the fight for free speech and the battle being waged over it today, within the United States and abroad.

    Marc Steiner is the host of the Marc Steiner Show and a longtime community organizer and activist.

    Michael Fox is the host of the podcasts Under the Shadow and Stories of Resistance.

    The Battle for Free Speech is brought to you by The Real News Network.

    Follow The Battle For Free Speech on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

    Sign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode

    Follow us on:
    Bluesky: @therealnews.com
    Facebook: The Real News Network
    Twitter: @TheRealNews
    YouTube: @therealnews
    Instagram: @therealnewsnetwork
    Show More Show Less
    3 mins
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