Speaking of the First Amendment: Jimmy Kimmel’s Moving Defense of Free Speech

In the latest demonstration of the Streisand Effect, Jimmy Kimmel came roaring back to television screens after efforts by Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr (“we can do this the easy way or the hard way”) to shut him up.

Kimmel’s opening monologue has been played and replayed countless times. Even if you’ve seen it, even if you don’t particularly like Kimmel or his show, his words deserve to be revisited in print.

Kimmel said:

“I don’t want to make this about me, because – and I know this is what people say when they make things about them, but I really don’t – this show, this show is not important.
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“What is important is that we get to live in a country that allows us to have a show like this. I’ve had the opportunity to meet and spend time with comedians and talk show hosts from countries like Russia, countries in the Middle East who tell me they would get thrown in prison for making fun of those in power. And worse than being thrown in prison. They know how lucky we are here. Our freedom to speak is what they admire most about this country.”

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