Negative theory recognizes the press’s vulnerability to government retaliation.
The Future of Press Freedom Scholars Series
This series features short contributions from a select group of multidisciplinary scholars who have long studied and written about matters related to freedom of the press. These pieces draw together observations and theories from each author’s body of work to illuminate how we might better define and protect the core democracy-enhancing press functions.
This series is part of the Institute’s The Future of Press Freedom: Democracy, Law, and the News in Changing Times research project led by visiting scholars RonNell Andersen Jones and Sonja R. West.
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Deep Dive: The Future of Press Freedom Scholars Series
Countering the Mosaic of Threats to Press Functions
There is a clear, democratic public interest in journalism—but the press continues to face a myriad of challenges.
By Lili Levi -
Deep Dive: The Future of Press Freedom Scholars Series, Press Freedom
The Enduring Significance of New York Times Co. v. Sullivan
Sullivan protects fundamental press functions—its overruling would be devastating.
By Samantha Barbas -
Deep Dive: The Future of Press Freedom Scholars Series, Press Freedom
“MURDER THE MEDIA”: Press Freedom, Violence, and the Public Sphere
Exploring the relationship between the press and violence in a democratic society
By Joseph Blocher -
Deep Dive: The Future of Press Freedom Scholars Series, Press Freedom
A Professional Wrestler, Privacy, and the Meaning of News
How a more sacrosanct approach to terms like “press” and “news” can help privacy cases
By Amy Gajda -
Deep Dive: The Future of Press Freedom Scholars Series, Press Freedom
The Press and American Democracy
Identifying four distinct constitutional functions of "the press"
By Robert C. Post -
Deep Dive: The Future of Press Freedom Scholars Series, Press Freedom
Political Tensions and the Democratic Press
Advocates for press freedom must confront the objectivity-subjectivity and institutionalism-populism divides.
By Gregory Magarian
Research
Essays and Scholarship
Free Speech, Identity, and Power
Observations on the state of free speech from a longtime free speech advocate.
Learn MoreLitigation
Lawsuit
The Foundation for Global Political Exchange v. Department of the Treasury
A case challenging OFAC’s suppression of the exchange of political ideas
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Deep Dive
Jawboning in 2025
When the new administration starts—led either by President Biden or President Trump—what will the state of jawboning be?
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Deep Dive
In a victory for free speech, lawsuit challenging mail digitization in jails will move forward
Case brought by incarcerated people and their loved ones in San Mateo, California
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