The War on Free Speech

The recent mass murders at the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo has once again highlighted an unsettling fact: We are living in an era in which journalists and others who express controversial ideas are in mortal danger. What does this mean for freedom of speech in the U.S. and around the world? NPR reports.

Questions...

•Why does free speech matter? Does it have any connection to our daily lives?

•In many places, the killing of an on-duty police officer is a special circumstances homicide that carries particularly heavy penalties. Should we extend the same protection to on-duty journalists? Why or why not?

•What are legitimate ways to oppose a media outlet you strongly disagree with?

•Are you in favor of or against college civility codes that allow ideas but punish slurs and hate speech?