Is Free Speech Dying? | Jacob Mchangama on Censorship, Truth & the Future of Free Expression

Is free speech the foundation of a free society—or is it becoming an endangered principle? In this episode of Uncommon Sense in Current Times, I sit down with Jacob Mchangama, founder of The Future of Free Speech, professor at Vanderbilt University, and author of Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media, to explore why freedom of expression is under increasing pressure around the world. Jacob explains the fascinating history of free speech, tracing its roots back to ancient Athens while examining why support for free expression is declining across modern democracies—especially among younger generations. Together, we discuss whether censorship actually reduces extremism, the difference between true tolerance and enforced agreement, and why open debate remains essential for discovering truth. If you've ever wondered whether free speech can survive in today's culture, this conversation offers historical perspective, practical wisdom, and an important reminder of why protecting the freedom to disagree matters for everyone. 📘 Get my latest book Bold Not Belligerent on Amazon: 👉 https://a.co/d/eGTPSYS 💭 A different way to reflect this week: ·       Do I defend free speech only for people I agree with—or also for those whose ideas I strongly oppose? ·       Am I seeking truth through open dialogue, or simply looking for voices that reinforce my own opinions? 📌 In this episode, we discuss: ✅ The ancient origins of free speech in democratic Athens  ✅ Why true tolerance requires allowing disagreement  ✅ Whether censorship actually reduces extremism  ✅ The surprising historical lessons from Europe and Russia  ✅ Why support for free speech is declining worldwide  ✅ The growing influence of cancel culture and social pressure  ✅ The relationship between free expression and the pursuit of truth  ✅ Why universities should remain places of open inquiry  ✅ The role of social media in shaping public discourse  ✅ How free societies protect both religious and secular viewpoints 📢 TAKE ACTION: 📖 Read the First Amendment alongside Acts 17 and consider the importance of open dialogue.  🤝 Have a respectful conversation this week with someone who sees an important issue differently than you do.  🧠 Challenge yourself to seek understanding before responding.  🙏 Pray for wisdom, humility, and courage to speak truth with grace.  💡 Remember that protecting free speech means defending the rights of others—even when you disagree with them. 🔗 Connect with Jacob Mchangama: 🌐 The Future of Free Speech: https://futurefreespeech.org  📘 Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/jacob-mchangama/free-speech/9781541620346/?lens=basic-books 🔗 Follow Peter Demos: 🌐 Website: https://www.peterdemos.org/  📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peterdemosofficial  📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peterdemosofficial  𝕏 Twitter/X: https://x.com/peter_demos 🙌 Subscribe for conversations on faith, culture, leadership, free speech, truth, apologetics, and navigating today's most important issues with wisdom and conviction. #JacobMchangama #FreeSpeech #PeterDemos #FirstAmendment #FreedomOfSpeech #FaithAndCulture #Truth #CancelCulture #CivilDiscourse #ChristianWorldview #UncommonSensePodcast #Leadership #Culture