In an international poll of 20 developed and developing countries, research concluded that less than half of Generation Z members are valuing free speech—while more than four-fifths want more sleep. How is free speech seen in the changing relationship between politics and media?
Instructors, click on the link below to download this week’s lecture for use in your classroom. The deck contains a writing prompt, a debate question, as well as other assessment questions.
Download the PowerPoint Lecture Spark for More Sleep, Less Free Speech
Video
- “What should be considered free speech? When you think of someone speaking freely, what scene do you envision? How do we cross over an empathy wall and establish common ground? Does speech cause harm? These are some of the questions a panel of UC Berkeley scholars addressed Friday during a lively discussion on free speech in the 21st century.”
Jeffrey Howard: Should A Culture Dedicated to Free Speech Limit Hate Speech?
- “Political scientist Jeffrey Howard says democracies should allow all types of speech — even if they’re hurtful. The key, he says, is to respond with conversation rather than confrontation.”
Articles
- More Sleep, Less Free Speech – And Other Things Young People Secretly Want | World Economic Forum
- Downsides and Risks – Digital Media and Society: Implications in a Hyperconnected Era | World Economic Forum
- Freedom of Speech: Which Country Has the Most? | World Economic Forum
- “Intolerance” Threat to University Free Speech | BBC News
- Tanzania Law for Online Content “Threatens Free Speech” | Al Jazeera
- What Does Freedom of Speech Mean to You? | World Economic Forum
Assessment
- Writing: Discuss the ways in which you personally exercise free speech. Have you gone to a public forum such as a debate, protest, or rally? Have you spoken in these? Have you ever voiced opinions via media—through forms such as school papers, local TV networks, local government, or on social media? Write about any others that come to mind.
- Debate: Look to the World Economic Forum link with the report on the “Impact of Digital Media on Individuals, Organizations and Society.” Have one group take on “Benefits and Opportunities” while another counters with “Downsides and Risks.” Does one outweigh the other?
- Poll: Pick the statement you believe to be the most true:
- Media shapes politics.
- Politics shape media.
- Short Answer: Consider the WEF article on the meaning of free speech. What does it mean to you?
Current Events Quiz
1. Free speech in Tanzania is being threatened in part due to:
- A license and fee being required to keep up websites.
- There are more newspapers than ever before.
- A shift in the global ivory trade.
- A new postal service.
2. In the United Kingdom and France and the US, what fraction of Generation Z believes free speech should be protected?
- More than 4/7.
- More than 2/3.
- Less than 2/3.
- Less than 5/7.
3. Among Generation Z, the greatest concerns for the future are:
- Terrorism and conflict
- Global warming
- Ebola
- The rising cost of healthcare
4. In the UK, members of parliament write that free speech is threatened by:
- Manchester United
- Aristocracy
- Intolerant attitudes
- Relations with the US
5. Using the WEF report on the Impact of Digital Media on Individuals, Organizations and Society, what is the “Spiral of Silence”?
- The ever-increasing lack of free speech in Iran
- When organizations interact with fewer organizations
- An Ayn Rand term regarding objectivism
- People narrowing the stream of information that they share on social media