The first full episode of Counterspeak [6], a new monthly podcast from the American Booksellers for Free Expression (ABFE), will be available for download on BookWeb [6], Spotify [7], and iTunes [8] this Thursday, December 6.

Counterspeak, co-hosted by Director of ABFE Dave Grogan, ABA Content Development Director Sydney Jarrard, and ABA Advocacy and Public Policy Coordinator Maria Peroni, will highlight free expression and First Amendment issues. The first episode features an interview with Nadine Strossen, former president of the American Civil Liberties Union and author, most recently, of Hate: Why We Should Resist It With Free Speech, Not Censorship [9] (Oxford University Press).

In the podcast, Strossen discusses how well-intended efforts to suppress hate speech can backfire and result in the silencing of marginalized groups. Strossen argues that the most effective tool against hateful rhetoric is, in fact, free speech. She shares with ABFE some of her experiences in a long career of defending free speech, including the ACLU’s famous defense of neo-Nazi protestors in Skokie, Illinois.

Each month, Counterspeak will feature interviews with experts on the First Amendment and free speech, as well as discussions on relevant current events. A new episode will be available on the first Thursday of every month on BookWeb [6], Spotify [7], and iTunes [8]. For more information, check out Counterspeak’s short introductory episode [6].