A recent news article highlights the hypocrisy surrounding free speech in higher education and the legal system. After a year of complaints that colleges were hostile to free speech, media outlets have recently called for the defunding of CUNY Law School over a speaker. This suggests that the free speech crisis is only acknowledged when it’s convenient. Meanwhile, the Second Circuit Court cast doubt on the claim made by Central Park Karen, who was fired for citing her employer’s zero-tolerance policy for racism. They are also likely to scrutinize her lawyer’s arguments.
What’s more, the legal field has recently seen a case where attorneys filled their response with fake caselaw taken from ChatGPT. This will likely have serious consequences for them. But it’s not a reflection of technology’s dangers, rather it reveals a failure in the fundamental skills of lawyering.
These issues have also raised concerns about the usage of free speech and its apparent double standards. It’s important for fairness and justice that speech is free for all, not just those prioritized by their status in society.
As we move forward, it is crucial that we ensure speech remains free for all and those who abuse it are held accountable, even if they are powerful people in society or lawyers who should know better. It’s time to address free speech hypocrisy and ensure that it remains a cherished right for all, rather than a weapon for those who already wield immense power.
