Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Media Tip Sheets
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • |
  • Alumni
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • |
  • Alumni
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Media Tip Sheets

Criticism of NYT editorial board’s stance on America’s free speech problem

Wednesday, March 23, 2022, By Lily Datz
Share

Last week, the New York Times editorial board published the opinion piece, “America Has a Free Speech Problem.” In the piece, the authors write:

“However you define cancel culture, Americans know it exists and feel its burden. In a new national poll commissioned by Times Opinion and Siena College, only 34 percent of Americans said they believed that all Americans enjoyed freedom of speech completely. The poll found that 84 percent of adults said it is a ‘very serious’ or ‘somewhat serious’ problem that some Americans do not speak freely in everyday situations because of fear of retaliation or harsh criticism.”

Smiling woman in a blazer looking forward.

Kyla Garrett Wagner

Kyla Garrett Wagner, an assistant professor of communications law at Syracuse University has this response to the editorial:

“To anyone who read last week’s NYTimes op-ed about America’s free speech problem, please let me reassure you – as a free speech and public opinion researcher – that you, holding your tongue at some point in the last year (even just once) because you were ‘concerned about retaliation or harsh criticism’ is not why America has a free speech problem,” said Wagner.

“Really, if there is any threat to free speech and press, it’s 1) the borderline unethical use of a biased and severely methodologically-flawed poll commissioned by the writers of the piece who artfully reported only the results that supported their position and 2) the suggestion to readers that this poll serves as high-quality empirical evidence of any kind, of which it’s not  — other studies, like the ones from the Pew Research Center or the Knight Foundation.”

Wagner is an interdisciplinary legal and communications scholar. Her research examines the relationship between public health and the First Amendment and she teaches topics related to the freedom of speech and the relationship between communication and human behavior.

To schedule an interview with Wagner on issues related to free speech, please contact Ellen James Mbuqe, executive director of media relations, at ejmbuqe@syr.edu or 412-496-0551.

  • Author
  • Faculty Experts

Lily Datz

  • Kyla Garrett Wagner

  • Recent
  • University Musicians, West Point Band to Perform Together This Weekend As Part of Events Around Military Appreciation Day
    Friday, September 22, 2023, By Christine Weber
  • Turning Young Enthusiasts Into Scientific Researchers
    Friday, September 22, 2023, By Wendy S. Loughlin
  • Languages Unlock Opportunities for English for Lawyers Alumna
    Thursday, September 21, 2023, By Hope Alvarez
  • Fall 2023 Career Week: Helping Students Achieve Professional Goals
    Thursday, September 21, 2023, By Gabrielle Lake
  • A Commitment to Arts and Sciences Excellence
    Thursday, September 21, 2023, By Dan Bernardi

More In Media Tip Sheets

Expert Available to Discuss Rupert Murdoch Stepping Down at Fox News

If you are looking for an expert to discuss Rupert Murdoch stepping down at Fox News, Lynne Vincent, associate professor of management at Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Management, is available for interviews. If you’d like to schedule an interview…

Education Expert: Massive Public Investment Needed to Solve Teacher Shortages 

School districts across the country continue to struggle with teacher shortages as a new school year begins. There has been a lot of talk about the reasons behind the shortages and what can be done to improve the situation.  George…

Featured Media Coverage – Week of Sept. 11

Syracuse University thought leaders, events and research news were showcased in the following news outlets this week: Eric Grode, director of the Goldring Arts Journalism and Communications program at Newhouse, was quoted in the Associated Press story “Largest US newspaper…

Experts Available to Discuss UAW Strike

The historic UAW strike has begun. If you are looking for experts to interview for your story, consider these Syracuse University faculty members who are available for interview. You may also quote their comments below. Matthew Huber, professor of geography…

Featured Media Coverage – Week of Sept. 4

Syracuse University thought leaders, events and research news were showcased in the following news outlets this week: George Saunders, a professor in the College of Arts and Sciences, was featured in Library of Congress “George Saunders to Receive 2023 Library…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • 2015-16 Remembrance Scholars
  • 25th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
  • About
    • SU Today Publishing Schedule
  • Authors
  • Campus Email Intake Form
  • Communications Contacts
  • Connect with SU
  • Contact
  • Defenses and Examinations
  • Exhibitions
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
    • Media Experts: Syracuse University Researchers on COVID-19
  • Home
  • Inside SU Landing Page
  • Lawrence B. Taishoff Center Q&A
  • Media Coverage
  • Orange Appreciation Days/Winter Break Information
  • Past Stories
  • Resource Library: Blogs
  • Resource Library: Crisis Management
  • Resource Library: Media Relations
  • Resource Library: Media Training
  • Resource Library: Op-Eds
  • Resource Library: Research
  • Resource Library: Social Media / Social Networking
  • Resource Library: Useful Web Links
  • Sections
  • Statement from Syracuse University Vice Chancellor and Provost Eric Spina Regarding Law School Student Blog Matter
  • Student Spotlights
  • SU News Services Resource Library
  • Submit an Announcement
  • Submitting News and Events
    • Submit an Announcement
    • Submit an Event
  • Subscribe
  • Syracuse Views
  • Topics
  • University Community Harvest Farmers’ Market
  • Videos
  • What’s New
  • Yearly Archive
  • ’Cuse Conversations Page With Subscription Box
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • @SUCampus
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2023 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.