Quinn Feeley

UWRT 1102
Digital Inquiry
1. Topic's Digital Landscape. What kind of digital and online spaces does your topic occupy?
Where do meaningful conversations about your topic take place online? [Specific... trade
publications? Social Media sites? Forums? Opinion Journalism?
My topic, Freedom of Speech, often occupies digital and online spaces all over the world;
a multitude of cases regarding Free Speech can often be found in articles written by well known
Newspapers or discussed on websites by college students or professors voicing their opinions. If
there are a plethora of stories on Free Speech at a given point in time, you may even find
commentators on social media joining in on the discussion or debate.

2. Topic's Key Contemporary Voices. Who are the most prominent voices on your topic and
where are they making themselves heard. What do you know about the audience these voices
reach?
Often times you will find high school students voicing their opinions on the limited Free
speech they currently possess. Support for the first amendment among High schoolers is
stronger today than it has been in the past 12 years; these students feel that speech is restricted
within school grounds and that they should be allowed to voice unpopular opinions. Students of
various ages are making themselves heard by the protesting in Washington DC and many other
cities to the government. Those who hear the protesting students and take their pleas into
consideration are conducting research and polls on the amount of support the First Amendment
has among this certain demographic.

3. Purpose. What is the purpose of these current conversations on your topic? [Remember
purpose is the hoped for outcome. So this may relate to increasing awareness or advocating
specific changes or actions, etc]
The purpose of these current conversations on my topic is because it is apparent that
something as long-established as the First Amendment can still cause issues to this day. Freedom
of speech and expression is still a controversial topic and can be beneficial and detrimental.
There have been instances where a speech at University of California, Berkeley, campus was
cancelled due to the possible safety risks for the speaker and the public due to the chance of
protests. The college is well known for its commitment to free speech and in this case, that
dedication to the first amendment could be dangerous. By discussing this topic I am raising
awareness of the harm that Free Speech may cause in the long run due to many differing
opinions on the matter. This basic human right can also be a window of opportunity for people to
advocate new ideas and points of views. I personally believe that Free speech and expression is a
right that we should not take for granted but should also not be abused in a negative manner.