The Free Speech Center
@freespeechcenter.bsky.social
Non-profit and non-partisan public policy center based at Middle Tennessee State University. Our mission is to support First Amendment freedoms through education and information. freespeech.center
“What the so-called legacy Pentagon press corps has demonstrated is it can act responsibly, as it always has, to protect troops’ lives,” said Barbara Starr, a former CNN defense correspondent. tinyurl.com/2chzubz9
Trump administration thanks news media for keeping quiet before Maduro capture
Withholding information on a planned military mission is routine for news organizations, a journalism professor says.
tinyurl.com
January 6, 2026 at 7:26 PM
“What the so-called legacy Pentagon press corps has demonstrated is it can act responsibly, as it always has, to protect troops’ lives,” said Barbara Starr, a former CNN defense correspondent. tinyurl.com/2chzubz9
By any measure, 2025 was a stressful year for those who worry about the First Amendment and its status as the bedrock of American liberty. tinyurl.com/4hywzrey
2025 left a stressed-out First Amendment
By any measure, 2025 was a stressful year for those who worry about the First Amendment and its status as the bedrock of American liberty.
tinyurl.com
January 6, 2026 at 7:22 PM
By any measure, 2025 was a stressful year for those who worry about the First Amendment and its status as the bedrock of American liberty. tinyurl.com/4hywzrey
“The Michigan law discriminates based on viewpoint — meaning the law permits speech on a particular topic only if the speech expresses a viewpoint that the government itself approves,” Judge Raymond Kethledge wrote, joined by Judge Joan Larsen. tinyurl.com/bexbwrn2
6th Circuit blocks Mich. ban on conversion therapy on free-speech grounds
The court's decision comes more than two months after the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in a Colorado case that could resolve the issue nationwide.
tinyurl.com
December 18, 2025 at 6:59 PM
“The Michigan law discriminates based on viewpoint — meaning the law permits speech on a particular topic only if the speech expresses a viewpoint that the government itself approves,” Judge Raymond Kethledge wrote, joined by Judge Joan Larsen. tinyurl.com/bexbwrn2
“It is inconceivable that Puerto Rico’s leaders would go out of their way to harm their constituents’ access to information and degrade the quality of press freedom on the island,” said Clayton Weimers, executive director for Reporters Without Borders in North America. tinyurl.com/ye6kua72
Puerto Rico governor signs bill that critics say will restrict access to public information
Obtaining public information in Puerto Rico has long been difficult, often forcing local news organizations that could afford it to go to court.
tinyurl.com
December 17, 2025 at 11:25 PM
“It is inconceivable that Puerto Rico’s leaders would go out of their way to harm their constituents’ access to information and degrade the quality of press freedom on the island,” said Clayton Weimers, executive director for Reporters Without Borders in North America. tinyurl.com/ye6kua72
“‘Chilling effect’ does not begin to describe the neutering of our political coverage,” said Doug Sovern, a former political journalist at KCBS. tinyurl.com/h2ceraf8
How a Calif. AM radio station struggles under Trump administration's assault on news media
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has emerged as a top enforcer of Trump's agenda, using his perch to take on one of the president's favorite targets: news-media outlets.
tinyurl.com
December 15, 2025 at 5:40 PM
“‘Chilling effect’ does not begin to describe the neutering of our political coverage,” said Doug Sovern, a former political journalist at KCBS. tinyurl.com/h2ceraf8
In her ruling Dec. 8, Chief U.S. District Judge Denise J. Casper wrote that Öztürk was likely to succeed on claims that the termination was “arbitrary and capricious, contrary to law and in violation of the First Amendment.” tinyurl.com/m6napupb
Turkish student who criticized Israel can resume research at Tufts after visa revoked, judge rules
She was one of four students who wrote the opinion piece in the campus newspaper. It criticized the university's response to pro-Palestinian student activists demanding that Tufts condemn Israel.
tinyurl.com
December 12, 2025 at 11:43 PM
In her ruling Dec. 8, Chief U.S. District Judge Denise J. Casper wrote that Öztürk was likely to succeed on claims that the termination was “arbitrary and capricious, contrary to law and in violation of the First Amendment.” tinyurl.com/m6napupb
“Those announcements lead to more uncertainty and greater anxiety among the current CNN staff and among those of us who served for many years as leaders of CNN under Ted,” said Tom Johnson, former CNN president in the 1990s. tinyurl.com/3xdxsbee
Takeover bid of parent company means limbo for CNN, some fellow cable networks
On CNBC, David Ellison answered "Yeah" when asked if he would combine CNN's newsgathering operation with CBS News. What exactly that means is unclear.
tinyurl.com
December 11, 2025 at 9:29 PM
“Those announcements lead to more uncertainty and greater anxiety among the current CNN staff and among those of us who served for many years as leaders of CNN under Ted,” said Tom Johnson, former CNN president in the 1990s. tinyurl.com/3xdxsbee
Conservative Supreme Court justices on Dec. 9 appeared to back a Republican-led drive that would erase limits on how much political parties can spend in coordination with candidates for Congress and president and overturn a quarter-century-old decision. tinyurl.com/yc55kzt9
Supreme Court questions limits on political party spending in federal elections, hearing GOP appeal
Two hours of arguments showed entrenched divisions between the liberal and conservative justices over campaign-finance restrictions.
tinyurl.com
December 10, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Conservative Supreme Court justices on Dec. 9 appeared to back a Republican-led drive that would erase limits on how much political parties can spend in coordination with candidates for Congress and president and overturn a quarter-century-old decision. tinyurl.com/yc55kzt9
In the latest newsletter … Trump’s news-media “hall of shame” … Times sues Pentagon … pregnancy centers and free speech … U. of Alabama suspends student magazines over DEI compliance … and much more First Amendment and journalism news. tinyurl.com/3s9hpdvc
Laying track / Beet it / Mags tagged
Laying track. The Trump administration’s new website that supposedly tracks media bias while offering up a “hall of shame” is simply a desp...
tinyurl.com
December 9, 2025 at 8:03 PM
In the latest newsletter … Trump’s news-media “hall of shame” … Times sues Pentagon … pregnancy centers and free speech … U. of Alabama suspends student magazines over DEI compliance … and much more First Amendment and journalism news. tinyurl.com/3s9hpdvc
“Leaving the Fifth Circuit’s ruling in place erodes the most elemental principles of free speech and allows state and local governments to exert ideological control over the people with impunity,” said Elly Brinkley, attorney for U.S. Free Expression Programs at PEN America. tinyurl.com/4u5k45cj
Supreme Court declines to hear Texas book-ban appeal in case watched by free-speech groups
The case stemmed from a 2022 lawsuit by a group of residents in rural Llano County over the removal from the public library of more than a dozen books dealing with sex, race and gender themes, as well...
tinyurl.com
December 9, 2025 at 7:33 PM
“Leaving the Fifth Circuit’s ruling in place erodes the most elemental principles of free speech and allows state and local governments to exert ideological control over the people with impunity,” said Elly Brinkley, attorney for U.S. Free Expression Programs at PEN America. tinyurl.com/4u5k45cj
"I’ve seen little change on America’s campuses that isn’t also a direct reflection of what’s happening in every community in the nation," writes Ken Paulson, director of the Free Speech Center. tinyurl.com/5n7bp4f5
College students on words and violence: They know the difference
I’ve seen little change on America’s campuses that isn’t also a direct reflection of what’s happening in every community in the nation.
tinyurl.com
December 8, 2025 at 7:50 PM
"I’ve seen little change on America’s campuses that isn’t also a direct reflection of what’s happening in every community in the nation," writes Ken Paulson, director of the Free Speech Center. tinyurl.com/5n7bp4f5
Over the Thanksgiving weekend, the White House launched a web portal it says will spotlight bias on the part of news outlets, targeting The Boston Globe, CBS News and The Independent as its inaugural “media offender of the week.” tinyurl.com/2xbesb7x
Another line of attack: White House sets up hall of shame for news outlets
The new portal also contains an "Offender Hall of Shame" of articles it deems unfair and a leaderboard ranking outlets with the most pieces they object to.
tinyurl.com
December 8, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Over the Thanksgiving weekend, the White House launched a web portal it says will spotlight bias on the part of news outlets, targeting The Boston Globe, CBS News and The Independent as its inaugural “media offender of the week.” tinyurl.com/2xbesb7x
"If free speech only survives during moments of convenience, it’s not really free. It is permission masquerading as principle. And permission always has an expiration date," writes FIRE's Samuel J. Abrams. tinyurl.com/57wznhj8
If free speech only matters when convenient, it isn’t free at all
We can condemn genuinely hateful language without constructing an environment where only pre-approved opinions are allowed to exist.
tinyurl.com
December 5, 2025 at 5:44 PM
"If free speech only survives during moments of convenience, it’s not really free. It is permission masquerading as principle. And permission always has an expiration date," writes FIRE's Samuel J. Abrams. tinyurl.com/57wznhj8
“The policy is an attempt to exert control over reporting the government dislikes,” said Charles Stadtlander, spokesman for the New York Times. tinyurl.com/3p3hu6rd
New York Times suing Pentagon over Defense Secretary Hegseth's new press rules
Since the new policy gives Hegseth the right to oust reporters working on stories he doesn't like — even if they don't involve classified information — it has a chilling effect on journalists, the new...
tinyurl.com
December 4, 2025 at 7:13 PM
“The policy is an attempt to exert control over reporting the government dislikes,” said Charles Stadtlander, spokesman for the New York Times. tinyurl.com/3p3hu6rd
The Supreme Court seemed likely on Dec. 2 to side with a faith-based pregnancy center raising First Amendment concerns about an investigation into whether it misled people to discourage abortions. tinyurl.com/ys4sbpy2
Supreme Court likely to rule for abortion opponents in challenge to N.J. investigation
The ACLU agreed that subpoenas seeking donor information can scare away supporters even before they're enforced.
tinyurl.com
December 3, 2025 at 7:59 PM
The Supreme Court seemed likely on Dec. 2 to side with a faith-based pregnancy center raising First Amendment concerns about an investigation into whether it misled people to discourage abortions. tinyurl.com/ys4sbpy2
“Denying access to briefings to credible and nonpartisan news media that routinely cover the Pentagon is not conducive to transparency for the American public, who fund the department’s budget to the tune of many hundreds of billions of dollars per year,” said Marc Lavine. tinyurl.com/2n475d4j
News outlets that reach millions denied access to rare Pentagon news briefings this week
Defense Department briefings used to be routine and regular; only a handful have been held since Trump began his second term. It's unclear whether any of the briefings will be seen outside the Pentago...
tinyurl.com
December 2, 2025 at 7:21 PM
“Denying access to briefings to credible and nonpartisan news media that routinely cover the Pentagon is not conducive to transparency for the American public, who fund the department’s budget to the tune of many hundreds of billions of dollars per year,” said Marc Lavine. tinyurl.com/2n475d4j
“The negativity, the feeling that news is biased, is just a reflection of how their parents feel,” said Howard Schneider, executive director of SUNY Stony Brook's Center for News Literacy. “The more exposed to news, legitimate news, the more their attitudes turn positive.” tinyurl.com/mryy42wa
Lost generation of news consumers? Survey shows how teenagers dislike news media
More than half of the teens surveyed believe journalists regularly engage in unethical behaviors like making up details or quotes in stories, paying sources, taking visual images out of context or doi...
tinyurl.com
December 1, 2025 at 8:37 PM
“The negativity, the feeling that news is biased, is just a reflection of how their parents feel,” said Howard Schneider, executive director of SUNY Stony Brook's Center for News Literacy. “The more exposed to news, legitimate news, the more their attitudes turn positive.” tinyurl.com/mryy42wa
As the Second Red Scare shows, when free speech is under attack, strategic compliance may be useful for individuals. However, bold and courageous acts of dissent are critical for protecting First Amendment rights for everyone. tinyurl.com/2wnzwm6t
First Amendment in flux: When free-speech protections came up against the Red Scare
Although the First Amendment failed to keep the Hollywood Ten out of prison, it ultimately prevailed.
tinyurl.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:24 PM
As the Second Red Scare shows, when free speech is under attack, strategic compliance may be useful for individuals. However, bold and courageous acts of dissent are critical for protecting First Amendment rights for everyone. tinyurl.com/2wnzwm6t
In the latest newsletter … Trump’s “piggy” insult … AP vs. Trump in court … UFO burger mural … anarchist magazines … and much more First Amendment and journalism news. tinyurl.com/bdhzaz9f
Let's be frank / Order up / Worth what?
Let’s be frank. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Trump called a reporter “piggy” because of his frankness. ■ Do...
tinyurl.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:05 PM
In the latest newsletter … Trump’s “piggy” insult … AP vs. Trump in court … UFO burger mural … anarchist magazines … and much more First Amendment and journalism news. tinyurl.com/bdhzaz9f
“Letting the government control which journalists can cover the highest office in the land and setting rules about what those journalists can say or write is a direct attempt to undercut the First Amendment,” wrote Julie Pace, AP's executive editor. “It should worry all of us.” tinyurl.com/2av65k32
AP, Trump administration argue press-access case before federal appeals court
The AP says that if journalists are invited to cover an event on a pool basis, then it cannot discriminate on the basis of a news organization's freedom of speech.
tinyurl.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:45 PM
“Letting the government control which journalists can cover the highest office in the land and setting rules about what those journalists can say or write is a direct attempt to undercut the First Amendment,” wrote Julie Pace, AP's executive editor. “It should worry all of us.” tinyurl.com/2av65k32
Today, Nov. 24, The Associated Press will be back in court to defend itself against the White House and standing up for the right to speak and report freely without government retaliation. AP Executive Editor Julie Pace has written an op-ed about why AP has taken this stand. tinyurl.com/mwkyupka
Why The AP is standing up for your right to speak freely
When we talk about press freedom, we are really talking about your freedom.
tinyurl.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Today, Nov. 24, The Associated Press will be back in court to defend itself against the White House and standing up for the right to speak and report freely without government retaliation. AP Executive Editor Julie Pace has written an op-ed about why AP has taken this stand. tinyurl.com/mwkyupka
Authorities in Tennessee have dropped a felony charge against a man who was jailed for more than a month over a Facebook post he made about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. tinyurl.com/56ky22a8
Felony charge dropped after man spends month in Tenn. jail for Charlie Kirk post
The Facebook post that got Larry Bushart arrested was a meme featuring President Trump and the words, "We have to get over it."
tinyurl.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Authorities in Tennessee have dropped a felony charge against a man who was jailed for more than a month over a Facebook post he made about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. tinyurl.com/56ky22a8
A U.S. appeals court on Nov. 18 paused a California law set to take effect in January requiring large companies to report every two years on how climate change could hurt them financially. tinyurl.com/24j8y4eh
Appeals court pauses Calif. law requiring companies to report climate-related financial risk
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce asked the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to pause the laws, arguing they violate the companies' First Amendment rights.
tinyurl.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:09 PM
A U.S. appeals court on Nov. 18 paused a California law set to take effect in January requiring large companies to report every two years on how climate change could hurt them financially. tinyurl.com/24j8y4eh
The emails to and from Jeffrey Epstein released last week shine a light on the delicate relationship between reporters and their sources. And, as can be the case, bright light isn’t always flattering. tinyurl.com/mrymam2h
How chummy is too chummy? Epstein emails shine light on relationships between journalists, sources
Should journalists act differently in public from the way they do in private? They're not supposed to.
tinyurl.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:32 PM
The emails to and from Jeffrey Epstein released last week shine a light on the delicate relationship between reporters and their sources. And, as can be the case, bright light isn’t always flattering. tinyurl.com/mrymam2h
We already have professionals doing their job, while also using a process whereby their decisions can be questioned. What does the state expect to find nestled between Mary Poppins and Winnie the Pooh in a children’s library? tinyurl.com/bdhj38jn
Tenn. official's order undermines our public libraries
I understand the concern of parents who see books in public libraries that might clash with their family’s values. The answer, of course, is to accompany your grade-school child to the library and mak...
tinyurl.com
November 17, 2025 at 5:54 PM
We already have professionals doing their job, while also using a process whereby their decisions can be questioned. What does the state expect to find nestled between Mary Poppins and Winnie the Pooh in a children’s library? tinyurl.com/bdhj38jn