First Amendment in flux: When free speech protections came up against the Red Scare

By: Jodie Childers, University of Virginia, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: November 20, 2025

Words: 1,397

Last Updated: 4 days, 18 hours ago

By Jodie Childers, University of Virginia

As the United States faces increasing incidents of book banning and threats of governmental intervention – as seen in the temporary suspension of TV host Jimmy Kimmel – the common reflex for many who want to safeguard free expression is to turn to the First Amendment and its free speech protections.

Yet, the First Amendment has not always been potent enough to protect the right …

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