Survey Finds Majority of Students View Shouting Down Campus Speakers as Acceptable
A FIRE Foundation survey found that 72% of students consider shouting down campus speakers acceptable, with Barnard and Columbia ranking lowest for free speech protection.
New York, NY, August 28, 2026 — A recent survey conducted by the FIRE (Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression) Foundation indicates that a significant majority of students believe shouting down campus speakers is an acceptable form of protest. The survey found that 72% of students consider this action acceptable.
The report also highlighted specific institutions regarding free speech protections. Barnard College and Columbia University were identified as ranking lowest among surveyed institutions for their protection of free speech.
The survey’s findings suggest a notable segment of the student population perceives disruptions to invited speakers as a legitimate response, raising questions about the prevailing attitudes towards free expression and open discourse on college campuses.
The specific methodology and scope of the FIRE Foundation survey, beyond the reported percentage and institutional rankings, were not detailed in the provided summary. Information regarding the total number of students surveyed, the demographic breakdown, or the criteria used to determine free speech protection rankings at Barnard and Columbia was not specified.
Story summarized from the original created by Jared Downing on nypost.com, see more information here.