Free Speech Unmuted: Student Speech, Threats, and the First Amendment

Summary

In this episode, hosts Jane and the narrator dissect two recent First Amendment cases involving student speech at public universities: Damsky v. University of Florida, which upheld disciplinary action for speech containing violent references, and Christensen v. Ohio State University, which ruled such punishment unconstitutional. They explore the legal standards for distinguishing true threats from protected expression, highlighting how context, intent, and perceived fear shape judicial outcomes. The discussion underscores the tension between campus safety concerns and robust free‑speech rights, offering listeners a nuanced view of how courts are navigating this balance.