Panel debates free speech, highlights
student rights
By Michael Culver
The Collegian
Citing free speech, hate speech and hostile environments the Women’s
Study program held a public forum to explore how these potentially harmful
forms of speech interact with the academic environment.
“We are living in very tumultuous times for academics and free speech,” said
Vida Samiian, Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities on Tuesday
during the forum.
Samiian was joined on the panel by English Professor John Beynon who
gave first-hand accounts of how he and others used shock and disruption
as techniques to gain awareness for gay rights.
Philosophy Professor Barbara La Bossiere and Communication Professor
Douglas Fraleigh, provided an audience of more than 40 with the legal
aspects of how the First Amendment right to free speech affects students
and administrators, as they strive to create a balance between what
constitutes protected speech and what can be considered unlawful.
La Bossiere said words aren’t protected if they are intended to
incite a violent response.
Many universities have tried to establish hate codes as a way to control
speech that is offensive, hateful or obscene.
The government can’t ban free speech on it being obscene, Fraleigh
said.
La Bossiere said universities that have enacted hate codes have been
too specific. Because of this, “All hate codes that have been brought
to the courts have been found unconstitutional.”
Anthony Munoz was the subject of some of the discussion. Munoz is a
pastor who comes to Fresno State to voice his message in the Free
Speech Area. Many participants in the discussion said although they
may not like what he says, he has a right to say it.
In response, panelists said there is recourse if someone feels offended
by his statements. They said students and observers have the same right
to ridicule, defy and challenge him. As a university we should embrace
this right, panelists said.
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