Annual Celebration Promotes Free Speech and Free Press

FOR RELEASE: October 20, 2025

Contact: Richard T. Kaplar
The Media Institute
703-506-8030

Vienna, Va., Oct. 20, 2025 – Free Speech Week (FSW) kicks off today, Monday, Oct. 20, and will continue through Sunday, Oct. 26. This national event will be an opportunity for media groups, schools, universities, and community groups to promote free speech and freedom of the press through their own activities during the week.

Free Speech Week is a non-partisan and non-political commemorative event, now celebrating its 20th year. The week promotes awareness of free speech and a free press in the United States among all age groups and walks of life.

The goal of FSW is to celebrate free speech and the First Amendment, rather than promote any political or ideological point of view. It is intended to be a unifying celebration for all Americans at a time when speech often has become a divisive force.

“Free speech and freedom of the press have been under fire in unprecedented ways this year. These challenges remind us that the First Amendment is a fragile freedom indeed,” said Media Institute President Richard T. Kaplar. “We hope that celebrating Free Speech Week reminds all Americans that the right to speak and publish freely is at the very heart of our democracy – it’s a freedom that needs to be cherished and extolled by us all.”

In addition to media organizations, colleges and universities across the country are participating actively, giving students and professors an opportunity to discuss the meaning of free speech at a time when that freedom has come under heavy fire on many campuses. And everyone who cares about free speech is encouraged to speak out on social media platforms.

For more information, follow FSW on X @Freespeechweek, Bluesky @freespeechweek.bsky.social, Instagram @freespeechweek, join the discussion on FSW’s Facebook Page, and find the latest information and ideas for celebrating on the FSW website, https://www.freespeechweek.org/.

Free Speech Week is an independent event created in 2005 by The Media Institute, which continues to provide promotional support and manages the FSW website.

The Media Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization specializing in communications policy and the First Amendment. Visit the Institute at www.mediainstitute.org.

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