FIRE, the free speech advocacy group, condemned reports that the State Department was investigating the banning of Bob Vylan—citing the move as reminiscent of censorship tactics employed by authoritarian regimes like Russia and China.

FIRE has issued a call to action urging colleges to resist overcompliance with vague federal DEI directives that risk curbing free speech on campuses. Citing examples such as Grand View University canceling International Women’s Day events and referencing previous successful resistance at the University of Idaho, FIRE emphasizes that federal guidelines must not override First Amendment rights.

FIRE issued a statement condemning the Trump administration's decision to bar the Associated Press from press events, arguing that such actions violate the First Amendment and represent a troubling instance of government censorship.

FIRE released an analysis warning that the proposed UN cybercrime treaty could empower authoritarian governments to silence dissent and restrict free speech. The piece calls for nations committed to free expression to reject the treaty to prevent its potential misuse in suppressing political speech.

FIRE launched its Free Speech Dispatch series to highlight and analyze ongoing global censorship trends, including tech companies' responses to government censorship demands. The initiative emphasizes support for free speech and acts as a counter to authoritarian practices.

FIRE published an article on July 6, 2020, urging American universities to reconsider and reassess their partnerships in Hong Kong in response to China’s recently enacted National Security Law, which is seen as a tool to suppress academic freedom and free expression.

FIRE released a comprehensive guide that examines the evolution of free speech on college campuses, outlines historical and contemporary challenges related to campus censorship, and advocates for the protection of individual rights. The guide serves as an educational tool that empowers students and institutions to counter restrictive policies and authoritarian impulses.