News and Views, the 9th of September 2023

Free Speech, Justice and Politics

Our News and Views deals with the link between free speech, justice and politics. In this
context, the aim is to get the class talking about the latest news from the trial of Donald Trump which
began last Monday 2 of October.
Indeed, Trump’s case has been making the headlines these recent days in most of the
international media. Journalists analyze the trial proceedings and comment on the frank reactions of
Donald Trump, from the beginnings of the suspicions until the trial begins. Moreover, the case is
highly political as the 2024 campaign of Donald Trump could be deeply damaged by the affair.

To get the class involved in the discussion, we will start by a Brainstorming on the affair, to
evaluate their level of knowledge on the topic.In the introduction, we will remind people of what
happened, who was at the beginning of the affair, how the trial was set up and what are the current
sanctions for Trump's companies. Those explanations will be assisted by a Quizz included in the
presentation to call pupils’ attention throughout this part.
The following parts will be assisted by 3 debates ; we will explain Trump's point of view, then
we will analyze the trial from a political and legal perspective to give some food for thought. Those
elements will help students take a stand on the issues that will be discussed. 3 questions will be
asked gradually, along with the explanations to encourage listening, learning concepts, personal
reflection and interaction.
In the last part, we will take a closer look at the concepts of free speech and justice through a
brief study of arbitration speech in social media. The debate will be around the following question :
“Should we let private companies rule censorship?”. We will split the class in 2 groups (those in favor,
those against), fill a grid with pros and cons. The groups will speak in turn, and will react to arguments
from the opposite side. This interesting aparté will be an opportunity for students to share their
knowledge and to try to convince the other group.
I) Introduction : the Trump fraud trial
Brainstorming : What do you know about this event ?
Presentation and explanations : QUIZZ

II) Further information and debates

1) Trump’s reaction : Should there be a limit on the presumption of innocence ?

2) Political aspect : Should we prevent people involved in ongoing investigations from being
elected?

3) American justice system : Is separation between state and justice necessary ?

III) Modern justice court : Social media

Should we let private companies rule censorship?

-> Class split into 2 groups, debate Pros/Cons

IV) Sources

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/sep/26/donald-trump-new-york-financial-fraud-key-takea
ways

https://www.bbc.com/news/66989373

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-03/donald-trump-new-york-court-civil-fraud-case-letitia-james/1
02926936

https://www.justice.gov

https://www.justice.gov/agencies/chart/map

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/01/first-amendment-regulation/617827/