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A frequent controversy on university campuses is the problem of free speech, and
Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) identifies the importance of free speech in
universities on their website. FIRE’s purpose is to defend individual rights of students on
American colleges and universities. Their main goal is to protect the rights of the unprotected,
and educate the public on the dangers of having these rights removed from them. The substance
on their website consists of information regarding education and awareness about speech codes
and cases related to free speech throughout America. FIRE addresses their audience by
mentioning the harm that could develop for future students who are not protected when it comes
to their individual rights. They use an authoritative tone to convey their message on the
prohibition of protected speech or expression. Their stance on speech codes does not change in
any of the articles on their website, it stays consistent with what the Constitution declares.
In the “What Are Speech Codes?” section, it begins by stating the definition of speech
codes. They define it as “any university regulation or policy that prohibits expression that would
be protected by the First Amendment in society at large.” This section mentions the prohibition
of speech based on the content of that speech. It explains how students will be limited two
certain zones due to a policy like this, and it will make protests and demonstrations difficult on
universities. There is a strong appeal to logos when this section refers to how speech codes can
adversely affect the community. It states that if such prohibition is allowed on speech in
universities, then people who have a major role in public criticism and voice will be silenced,
and some famous public speakers and artists will be banned. FIRE believes that students are
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supposed to be shaped by different views and develop an open mind to different ideas by having
the right to speak their minds. FIRE makes it clear that free speech is a constitutional right, and
this right should be available on universities, which is like a “marketplace of ideas.” FIRE
clarifies the role of the First Amendment in freedom of speech by saying, “The protections of the
First Amendment are extended to state governments and public university campuses by the
Fourteenth Amendment.” The evidence provided by FIRE from the First Amendment concerning
free speech shows why this is their mission.
FIRE also has a video examining surveys in which they see the history of speech codes,
and the ratings of the restrictiveness of speech over the course of a few years in universities.
They use a strong appeal to logos by including facts and statistics and logical advancements of
