Freedom of Speech

Ward 6 Missoula City Councilor Sandra Vasecka has found herself in opposition to new policies and restrictions she feels are being imposed on speech by council members and the public during meetings.

University of Montana President Sheila Stearns has contacted Professor Mike Adams, whose invitation to address the School of Journalism was retracted by Dean Larry Abramson, to let him know he has not been banned altogether from speaking on campus.

Freedom of speech may have its limits. Gilford, New Hampshire resident William Baer was arrested on disorderly conduct charges earlier this week after he continued to speak at a school board meeting even thought his allotted two minutes to talk were over.

Ever since the University of Montana agreed to abide by a Department of Justice resolution on reporting and dealing with sexual assaults, a free speech advocacy group known as the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) has been making the case that the agreement puts student's rights at risk.