Transparency & Democracy
Ensuring access to information necessary for self-government
The First Amendment embraces the public’s right to access the information needed to hold the powerful accountable and participate fully in the process of self-government.
Our aim in defending and promoting transparency is not simply to compel the disclosure of information that the public is entitled to know, but to broaden public access to information through changes in government policy and the law.
Featured
Essays and Scholarship
After the Fall of the American Digital Empire
Between the U.S., China, and EU, the race for global technological dominance is intensifying.
By Anu BradfordLATEST NEWS & ANALYSIS
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Deep Dive : Toward a Better Internet
A Safe Harbor for AI Evaluation and Red Teaming
An argument for legal and technical safe harbors for AI safety and trustworthiness research
By Shayne Longpre , Sayash Kapoor , Kevin Klyman , Ashwin Ramaswami , Rishi Bommasani , Arvind Narayanan , Percy Liang & Peter Henderson -
Institute Update
Knight Institute Symposium on Government Employee Speech to Feature Leading Scholars in Law, History, and Political Science
Public event to be held on April 5, 2024, at Columbia University and online
By Katy Glenn Bass
LITIGATION & ADVOCACY
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Lawsuit
The Texas Tribune v. Caldwell County
A case challenging the exclusion of the press and public from bail hearings in Caldwell County, Texas.
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Lawsuit
National Association of Immigration Judges v. Neal
A lawsuit challenging a government policy silencing immigration judges
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Lawsuit
The Foundation for Global Political Exchange v. Department of the Treasury
A case challenging OFAC’s suppression of the exchange of political ideas
RESEARCH
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Deep Dive : 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 : 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 : 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
Events
Columbia University and Online
The Future of Press Freedom: Democracy, Law, and the News in Changing Times
A symposium examining what it means to safeguard and support the role of the press in the United States today.
Columbia University and Online
Permission to Speak Freely? Managing Government Employee Speech in a Democracy
A symposium examining the speech rights of public employees—and the threats they face
Columbia University and Online
Generative AI, Free Speech, & Public Discourse
A symposium exploring technological and philosophical questions about generative AI’s effect on public discourse