Free Speech News: Map of Free Speech Support by Washington Post

The Washington Post published this article seeking to analyze the relationship between support of free speech and the frequency of political dissent. The researchers used national Freedom and Tolerance surveys along with multilevel regression with poststratification to establish levels of tolerance for each metro area. They compared the tolerance levels to the rates of protest in each metro area and did find a positive correlation.

While there is not enough data here to establish which is the cause, the researchers conclude based on this and other studies that "local support for freedom of speech emboldens citizens living in these areas to participate in political life." Allowing for open discussion of even unpleasant opinions is important for a healthy democracy.

The downside of this study is that it is based on data from 2007 to 2011. The findings are not affected by this, but it means that the generated map is outdated. In the last several years, the political landscape has shifted to be less accepting of dissent in west or northeast coastal cities and college campuses, exactly the same places where this study found the greatest political tolerance. Far left activists based in these areas, who have been gaining mainstream acceptance, are explicitly against classical free speech values, working to shut down opposing views.

It would be very interesting to compare this map to one generated using data from 2013 to 2017.