Litigation
The Institute defends the freedoms of speech and of the press through strategic litigation designed to have a meaningful impact on the law, on public policy, and on public opinion. We litigate cases that have the potential to establish important new legal principles concerning the system of free expression, to influence the practices of powerful actors in that system, and to raise public awareness about contemporary structural threats to that system. We focus especially on complex and challenging cases that relate to new technology, including new communications platforms, and we favor cases that afford us the opportunity to draw on insights generated by our research program.
Our litigation prioritizes cases in our three focus areas, Free Speech & Social Media, Transparency & Democracy, and Privacy & Surveillance.
Featured
American Association of University Professors v. Rubio
A case challenging the Trump administration’s policy of ideological deportation.
LATEST NEWS & ANALYSIS
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Press Statement
Federal Court Says First Amendment Bars Government From Deporting Students and Faculty on Basis of Political Viewpoint, Says Challenge to Trump Policy Can Go Forward
Ruling is a victory for free speech and step towards ending unconstitutional policy across U.S. campuses, Knight Institute says
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Press Statement
Court Says White House Can’t Exclude AP From Press Pool Based on Viewpoint
Opinion is “careful, well-reasoned,” Knight Institute says
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Deep Dive
School Surveillance Systems Threaten Student Privacy, New Knight Institute Lawsuit Alleges
By Jennifer JonesThis op-ed explains how schools use surveillance systems to spy on student laptops.
Our Docket
Showing 1–10 of 80
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Amicus Brief
Law Firms v. Trump Administration
Multiple cases by law firms challenging retaliatory executive orders
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Lawsuit
American Association of University Professors v. Rubio
A case challenging the Trump administration’s policy of ideological deportation.
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Lawsuit
Knight Institute v. Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District
A public records lawsuit seeking information about a school district’s use of surveillance systems to monitor students’ digital activities.
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Amicus Brief
The Associated Press v. Budowich
A case challenging The Associated Press’ exclusion from the White House press pool.
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Amicus Brief
United States v. Terry
A case addressing the scope of the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
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Lawsuit
Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York v. USDA
A case challenging USDA’s purge of climate-related webpages.
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Lawsuit
United States v. Trump
A motion to intervene in Trump classified documents case seeking release of Volume II of Special Counsel’s report.
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Amicus Brief
X Corp. v. Media Matters
An appeal addressing X Corp.’s effort to compel a research organization to disclose its donors.
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Amicus Brief
United States v. Smith
A Second Circuit case addressing warrantless cellphone searches at the border