Running head: MEDIA ANALYSIS
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Media Analysis
Bridget Pruitt
Liberty University
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Discussion
Freedom of speech and freedom of expression has become an issue within our higher
education university campuses. Many campuses have either had riots if a political party that they
do not agree with comes to speak or even deaths that have occurred on campuses by a different
race. Thus, some colleges may be permitted to restrict expressions that many regards as hate
speech. However, who predicts whether it being a hate speech or just a speech that will be
knowledgeable to some.
As it is apparent to anyone who watches the news or reads newspaper or even magazines.
There are issues at many universities that oasis of freedom of speech and freedom of expression
for students and faculty alike. As centers of research, the universities have always had a freedom
of expressing their interest whether it being about a certain topic or just a group issue. It’s been
the mission of higher education in the United States to ensure freedom of speeches are treasured
in institutions of higher learning. However, there have been recent events that have challenged
these ideals.
Lawrence (2017) states, “a tension exists on college and university campuses across
America today concerning how to pursue liberal, rational, open learning and, at the same time,
celebrate a spirit of academic community – in short, how to exercise free expression and
maintain civility.” Unfortunately, today we have so much hate speech whether it being
broadcasted throughout the news stations or even published in newspapers. However, depending
on which broadcast station you choose to watch depends on which perspective you will hear.
Bias is a huge issue within our news today and it will only continue until universities begin doing
their own choosing of what is good intentions and bad.
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The issue above is based upon hate speeches. For example, the murder that happened on
the Brandeis University campus in December 2014. You had two deaths both were boys of black
color. The two officers that shot the individuals were white. A prominent student member of the
campus Black Lives Matter movement tweeted that she had no sympathy with the police officers.
Was the issue here due to the fact the police officers were white gentlemen shooting black boys
or was the issue of the deaths of the young boys in general. Unfortunately, we see a lot of this
type of hatred throughout United States that really needs to be alleviated. I honestly believe that
the police officers take an oath and do not just hate black people or white people and
intentionally go out and shoot whomever they see. This academic journal seems to specify the
issues with a validity and perspective significance of the findings within the journal. Lawrence
(2017) states, “from the position that all speech, including hateful speech, is presumed to be
protected if still offends or insults a group along racial, ethnic, national, religious, gender, or
sexual identity lines.” Lawrence shows no signs of bias within his journal.
Ceci (2018) states, “recent protests on dozens of campuses have led to the cancellation of
controversial talks, and violence has accompanied several of these protests.” In this journal
article, there are many aspects of bias that specifies constitutionally protected and First
Amendment rights. As the first article, Lawrence believed that all speech should be granted and
either individuals attend the speech or do not attend. However, as for Ceci she does not agree
with the speeches to be presented on university campuses if there is any intention of hatred.
Miller, Guida, Smith, Ferguson, & Medina (2017) states, “despite the increasing
development of bias response teams on colleges and university campuses, little scholarship has
examined these teams and, in particular, team leaders’ approaches to understanding the role of
free speech in responding to bias.” A stead stream of racist incidents has occurred at different
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higher education institutions, which have included racial slurs, derogatory posters, racist
messages, and videos on students’ social media accounts. Unfortunately, there are bias incidents
in higher education that provide bad responses throughout the United States. This journal article
focuses upon bias and bias responses in higher education. There are some bias intentions
throughout the article, however, most of the article is based upon ways of eliminating bias within
higher education campuses.
Conclusion
Based upon the three journal articles that I chose, I found one to be bias, one was not
bias, and one was somewhat bias but not quite as bias as one of them. However, there was
significant findings in all three of them. All three of the journals were well-reasoned and
provided great insights about speeches on campuses. As we all know there will be bias within a
university whether it being a board member, faculty member, or student. The way I feel about
these issues is to take it with stride. Unfortunately, our world is a difficult one to live in and we
sometimes must choose the paths we take. Free speech on campus is not as free as it used to be.
Unfortunately, the hottest topic on campuses is religion. God is a diverse God and welcomes all
people regardless of sexual orientation. God loves all people and the universities should all
understand that, however, some do not.
As a Christian, I feel that it is the individual’s perspective to reach out and see about the
university before they attend. Our colleges and universities should be required to remain neutral
regarding issues of public controversy. God placed us all here on earth to be equally. Creating an
atmosphere where different opinions and faith traditions are welcome should be the way our
higher education campuses are. God made us different for reasons and we should have the
freedom to speak the way we chose. Ephesians 4:29 (King James Version) states, “Let no
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corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the
occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”
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References
Ceci, S. J., & Williams, W. M. (2018). Who Decides What Is Acceptable Speech on Campus?
Why Restricting Free Speech Is Not the Answer. Perspectives on Psychological Science,
13(3), 299–323. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691618767324
Lawrence, F. M. (2017, Spring). The contours of free expression on campus: free speech,
academic freedom, and civility. Liberal Education, 103(2), 14+. Retrieved from
http://link.galegroup.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/apps/doc/A497860261/AONE?
u=vic_liberty&sid=AONE&xid=9dafd7cd
Miller, R., Guida, T., Smith, S., Ferguson, S., & Medina, E. (2017). Free speech tensions:
Responding to bias on college and university campuses. Communication Education, Vol.
67. Issue 2.
