Sarah McLaughlin

Sarah McLaughlin is Senior Scholar, Global Expression at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE). Sarah has defended free expression at FIRE for over a decade, and now studies the relationship between authoritarian censorship and free countries. She is currently working on a book about global censorship and its role on college campuses.

A photo illustration of a paper speech bubble be lit on fire with a match.

WHAT THE ROAD TO HELL IS PAVED WITH

How Hate Speech Bans Are Abused All Over the World

The Israel-Hamas war sparked calls for legal bans on “hate speech.” A quick glance around the globe shows such censorship is weaponized by politicians and fails in its goals.

Sarah McLaughlin

An illustration including a photo of the World Cup Trophy Symbol and a Patch of Grass

SPORTSWASHING FTW

Saudi Arabia Hosting World Cup Is a Disgraceful Injustice

FIFA gave the Kingdom a big win for its reputation laundering. But it’s a huge loss for its besieged dissidents and will further muzzle international critics.

Sarah McLaughlin

A photo of a Palestinian protester and an IDF soldier shouting at each other.

SPEECH IS NOT VIOLENCE

Don’t Let Free Expression Be a Casualty of Israel-Hamas War

Authorities in France and the U.K. are threatening to criminalize pro-Palestinian protests and chants, and some U.S. lawmakers are calling for censorship.

Sarah McLaughlin

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CENSORSHIP WITHOUT BORDERS

Tech Bosses Are Letting Dictators Censor What Americans See

Twitter and other U.S. tech companies are allowing authoritarians like China’s Xi Jinping and India’s Narenda Modi to determine what people can say—all over the world.

Sarah McLaughlin