"This film presents a diverse range of individuals...who state a broad range of ideas about free speech." Nadine Strossen, Professor of Law Emerita, New York Law School

What I Didn't Know About Free Speech on College Campuses tells the story of a filmmaker's journey - from a mild irritation to a deep fear for our country, from left to right and back again. It was supposed to be a small film about free speech on college campuses - until a powerful totalitarian challenge threatened this most American of rights. The filmmaker came to see that even a very basic freedom can be understood and championed in many different ways, and in the hunger for power, it can even be ignored.

And so, the issue returned to the place where the film began: on campus. Universities that allow protest are denied billions of dollars in funding. Some universities in response now say, "Okay. We will ban protest, no matter what the Constitution says." So a film that began as something for people to think about is now about something many people fear. When people are silenced, democracy fails. If speech is no longer free in America, is it still America?

What I Didn't Know About Free Speech on College Campuses includes captivating interviews with PBS luminary and President of Wesleyan University, Michael Roth; African-American activist Loretta Ross of Smith College; and civil rights lawyer William Newman of the ACLU.



Grade Level: 10-12, College, Adults
US Release Date: 2026     Copyright Date: 2026
DVD ISBN: 978-1-961192-62-1

Reviews "With thoughtful commentary, this film seeks to explain how issues such as cultural appropriation, cancel culture, safe spaces, trigger warnings, hate speech, and diversity and inclusion have emerged more prominently in recent years and highlights the importance of free speech and civil discourse in furthering the pursuit of truth. I especially appreciate the way the film cites attempts to censor speech by both right-wing and left-wing groups and shows how actions to exclude speakers often bring more publicity to their causes. I will definitely be interested in showing this on our campus." John Vile, Dean and Professor of Political Science, Middle Tennessee State University "Offering a range of student and academic insights on free speech on campus, this documentary helps to better understand conservative political pressure and self-censorship that are stifling effective teaching and undermining democracy. A wake-up call for us all!" Eve Darian-Smith, Professor of Global and International Studies, University of California- Irvine, Author, Policing Higher Education: The Antidemocratic Attack on Scholars and Why It Matters "Free speech on campus has been a fraught topic in recent years. Moving beyond the sensationalist headlines, this nuanced film provides a wonderful guide through the issues and the tools for imagining how we can do better." Tom Ginsburg, Professor of International Law, Professor of Political Science, Faculty Director, Forum for Free Inquiry and Expression, University of Chicago "This film presents a diverse range of individuals -- including experts and various members of the general public -- who state a broad range of ideas about free speech. It should stimulate all viewers to think hard about this topic, which is vitally important to every one of us." Nadine Strossen, Professor of Law Emerita, New York Law School, Author, HATE: Why We Should Resist it With Free Speech, Not Censorship "Neutrality, as advocates for justice have historically observed, is an inherently conservative position. In What I Didn't Know About Free Speech, Akeret documents a personal journey exploring attitudes toward freedom of expression and how issues of inclusion and free speech are both at odds, but also crucial for each other. Her intellectual travels are personal, political, and ultimately insightful without being sermonic, and can help any introductory class or community group with the initial questions surrounding these issues." M. Elizabeth Thorpe, Associate Professor of Communication, SUNY Brockport, Editor, Communication Law Review "I recommend this film for classrooms and public forums looking to reach a wide audience on this topic - followed by a discussion with diverse voices that includes those who are actively fighting right-wing laws against academic freedom, administrative policies that restrict freedom of speech, and the bipartisan silencing of those that speak out against militarism and genocide." Pranav Jani, Associate Professor of English, Ohio State University, creator and host, Together We Rise: Solidarity Stories from Central Ohio