Institute Calls on Government Personnel—Civilian and Military—to Protect First Amendment Rights of Protesters and the Press
Peaceful protest and press freedom are features of, not threats to, democracy
Our Mission
We defend the freedoms of speech and the press in the digital age through strategic litigation, research, policy advocacy, and public education.
We promote a system of free expression that is open and inclusive, that broadens and elevates public discourse, and that fosters creativity, accountability, and effective self-government.
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Blog
Deep Dive: Federal Funding and the First Amendment
Federal Funding as a Jawbone
The First Amendment's prohibition on jawboning makes the government's attempts to suppress speech at universities like Harvard unconstitutional
By Evelyn DouekIssues
Featured
Knight Institute Seeks Immediate Release of Special Counsel’s Report on Trump’s Mishandling of Classified Documents
Says the public has a First Amendment “right of access” to the document
Featured
Knight Institute and SMU Law Clinic Seek Immediate Release of Records Related to Texas School’s Use of Surveillance Technology
Say surveillance systems in schools undermine students’ privacy and expressive rights, government should release related public records
Free Speech & Social Media
Safeguarding the vitality and integrity of public discourse online
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Litigation
Press Statement
USDA Reverses Course, Commits to Restore Purged Climate Webpages in Response to Farmers’ Lawsuit
The Trump administration will restore access to vital resources for climate-smart agriculture, forest conservation, climate change adaptation, and rural clean energy projects
Learn MoreResearch
Essays and Scholarship
Protecting Immigrant Activists From U.S. Government Retaliation: Lessons From First Amendment Litigation
Immigrant activists in the U.S. face legal and structural barriers when fighting First Amendment retaliation.
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Essays and Scholarship
AI as Normal Technology
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Litigation
Press Statement
Fourth Circuit Revives Challenge to Policy Silencing Immigration Judges
The independence of agencies charged with protecting employee rights has been compromised by Trump administration, court suggests
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