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Hello, I'm Rahul Tandon.

Welcome to the documentary from the BBC World Service.

In BBCOS conversations, we bring people together to share their experiences and their

views. This time, people discuss free speech in the wake of Charlie Kirk's death.

Right-wing US commentator Charlie Kirk was celebrated by his many fans as a champion of free speech.

Others, though, saw it differently, accusing him of spreading hate.

Since he was killed, less than a fortnight to go at a university rally in Utah,

the two sides are further apart than ever.

The whole idea of free speech and what it means is in the balance.

Some Americans on the left believe views like Kirk's,

including his strong rejection of gay marriage,

criticism of Islam,

and opposition to abortion cross a line and are dangerous.

But this week, we hear from people who take a different view, including some who

predict a bleak future for their country if the right to debate controversial and contested

topics is threatened. Democracy is built on the foundation of free and fair public discourse in the

public square and an attack on Charlie or anybody else for

that fact is an attack on all of us. And if we no longer have the ability or feel comfortable

expressing our opinions in public or at all, that is a loss.

The conversations you'll hear this week are with Charlie Kirk supporters, but also with people who defend the

right of anyone with strong views to speak out. Carrie Bartholomew is from Mums for America,

...