The First Amendment, added to the United States Constitution in 1791, guarantees the right to freedom of speech. However, currently this amendment can feel more like a risk than a fundamental right. Across America, freedom of speech is being threatened, with two recent events being particularly tumultuous: the assassination of Turning Point USA (TPUSA) co-founder Charlie Kirk, and the temporary suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!
A national survey conducted by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression found that only one in four Americans thought that the right to freedom of speech was “completely” or “very” secure. This is an especially concerning statistic, given that the First Amendment is a foundational right, and should be regarded as such.
Charlie Kirk, a known conservative activist, was assassinated on Sept. 10, 2025, during one of his TPUSA “Debate Me” events at Utah Valley University. Kirk’s assassination showcases one of the harshest ways that freedom of speech is being squashed: violence. During these tours, Kirk voiced his opinions on political matters in debates with college students. His assassination was met with a large variety of reactions
on social media. Responses ranged from prayers for him and his family to celebrations and jokes about him being publicly assassinated, circulating on social media.
Additionally, late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel saw his show temporarily suspended after he commented on President Trump and his supporters’ reactions to Kirk’s death. Kimmel does not officially belong to a political party, but his political commentary and actions have become increasingly critical of conservatives, particularly President Trump. Kimmel claimed the Make America Great Again Movement was using Kirk’s death as a vessel for the escalation of rhetoric and political messaging. Trump-appointed Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr criticized the show after it aired, and within hours, Nexstar, a media group, had suspended the show. Many have attributed it to Nexstar working on a deal with the FCC for a merger with Tigna, another media group.
Although these incidents can feel “far away,” it’s important not to make rash decisions on what you choose to post on your own platform or who you decide to listen to. Blocking or unfollowing people based on inferences about their political alignments means silencing an opinion just because you don’t share a similar view. Remembering to take a step back from social media after any event is a crucial step in ensuring you aren’t silencing freedom of speech yourself.
Free speech is a right that must be upheld at all times, not just when it suits one’s opinion. Its power comes from the idea that it’s a two-way street: You can publicly disagree with someone’s opinion, and they can publicly disagree with yours. When we start prioritizing our own opinions over someone’s right to speak freely, we enter dangerous territory where, as a country, we become more divided and unstable. We have to learn to look past our individual biases, and become a more open-minded society that puts more respect on freedom of speech.
Some may argue that restricting freedom of speech is important in certain instances to protect our democracy and national security. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook flagged or restricted false claims about the virus, including conspiracy theories and misleading information about the vaccine, to protect public health. We acknowledge that these restrictions on freedom of speech should be imposed to protect the safety of the greater good. Recently, Jimmy Kimmel Live! was reinstated on the air, although certain streaming platforms are abstaining from showing the segment. This highlights that while some forms of censorship are reversible with minimal damage, others, such as the violent assassination of Charlie Kirk, are not as easily reversed. Protecting freedom of speech does not mean that you have to agree with every opinion, but rather that any disagreement should be followed up with more discussion.
The energy put towards posts on social media should instead be redirected towards invoking true change in local government. When you post videos about what and who you support, as well as reposting statements, that doesn’t have the same level of impact as going out in the world and talking to different people with contrasting perspectives other than your own. As high schoolers heading towards legal voting age, it’s imperative that we are surrounded by people who are unlike ourselves, and don’t stray from uncomfortable conversations. Work to advance yourself as a person rather than solely conforming to the viewpoints made by those close to you, and make the constructive change you wish to see in this democracy.
