The American Civil Liberties Union has helped everyone from librarians to Nazis defend their right to free speech. So where will ACLU board members turn if their own speech is gagged?

At issue are proposals being considered by the national ACLU board that would prohibit board members from publicly criticizing the group's policy, staff or board. Remarkably, these recommendations are diametrically opposed to the basic principles that the ACLU has defended for 86 years. The rules might also breach regulations governing the nonprofit board.

Anthony D. Romero, ACLU executive director, recently affirmed that the ACLU "exists to defend the right of dissent and free exchange of ideas." Central to this mission is preserving the First Amendment right to free speech.

For the board to restrict the speech of its own board members would betray the organization's mission, not to mention all the civil libertarians among its donors. How could the ACLU impose gag rules and secrecy on internal dissenters when the organization itself is pushing the U.S. government to be forthcoming on warrantless wiretaps and filing Freedom of Information Act lawsuits to make public information on Guantanamo Bay captives?

ACLU board actions haven't lessened the importance of the work done by the national staff and local chapters. But board actions that raise questions about its judgment could taint the entire organization.

Guidelines for boards are common in corporate and nonprofit worlds. The ACLU board could direct board members to clarify that they speak for themselves in public, and not on behalf of the organization. Otherwise, the board should stay true to its own values: Though we may disagree with what you say, we will defend to the death your right to say it.