From the French Revolution to the social media age, Fara Dabhoiwala charts the surprising history of the idea that people should be able to say what they like
From America's founding fathers via John Stuart Mill to today's social media giants, humanity has long wrestled with the idea of free speech. What does it mean? Can it really apply to everyone? And ... Show More
Aug 2024
Origins of Political Campaigns: Publicity Stunts & Fake News
<p>How do our politicians use the media? Throughout the 2024 election we have seen a boom in the use of social media and cable news, so how far back does this go?</p><br><p>To find out, Don speaks first to crisis public relations expert and TikTok star, Molly McPherson, to hear a ... Show More
50m 58s
Sep 23
The Red Channels Whisper Network (1950) [Chilled Speech Week Pt 1]
<p>It's September 22nd. This week, we're bringing you two episodes that highlight periods in American history where political speech was being policied, repressed, and persecuted -- much like it is today.</p><p>Today: A look back at "Red Channels," an anti-Communist newsletter th ... Show More
27m 56s
Nov 10
Truth in an age of doublethink
We use “Orwellian” to describe everything from campus dust-ups to authoritarian crackdowns. But what did George Orwell actually stand for, what did he get wrong, and what can we learn from him about our age of surveillance capitalism and distraction? Sean’s guest is Laura Beers, ... Show More
52m 16s
Jul 2025
The Protocols of the Elders of Zion
First published in Russia in 1903, The Protocols of the Elders of Zion purported to demonstrate evidence of a global Jewish conspiracy. Though it has repeatedly been proven to be a forgery, the text has helped fuel antisemitism across the world, from Henry Ford in America, to Naz ... Show More
30m 7s
Sep 25
Post-911 Patriotic Mania (2001) [Chilled Speech Week Pt 2]
<p>This week, we're bringing you two episodes that highlight periods in American history where political speech was being policied, repressed, and persecuted -- much like it is today.</p><p>Today: A look back at the way speech was policed in the wake of the 9-11 attacks. Bill Mah ... Show More
31m 42s