Every Tuesday, First Amendment Watch will publish a thought-provoking interview with a leading First Amendment expert or newsmaker that takes you to the front lines of the most pressing issues of the day.
Newsmaker Interviews
George Freeman on Trump’s Defamation Lawsuit Against ABC, Stephanopoulos
This suit is different from others filed by the former president against the press, Freeman said, but Trump’s reputation of making derogatory remarks about women poses legal hurdles.
Vanderbilt’s Jacob Mchangama on the First Amendment Implications of Generative AI
Mchangama discussed the First Amendment implications of generative AI and expressed concerns over government censorship of certain AI-generated content.
College Student Jack Sweeney on His Efforts to Track Taylor Swift’s Private Jet
Sweeney discussed how jet tracking works, the importance of transparency, and his hope that his projects could make this information more accessible.
Attorney Laura Handman on Defending the New York Post with the Fair Report Privilege
Handman discussed the differences between Montana and New York’s fair report privileges and the importance of being able to report on official proceedings.
Attorney Mark Rasch on the Indictment of Freelance Journalist Tim Burke
The case has raised concerns among press freedom advocates who have warned of its possible chilling effect on investigative journalism.
Kansas Newspaper Owner Eric Meyer on the Police Raid of His Newsroom
In an interview with First Amendment Watch, the Marion County Record owner and publisher spoke about the police raid on his newsroom and nationwide outrage it sparked.
The Knight Institute’s Alex Abdo on ‘Jawboning’ Social Media Case Before the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is tasked with deciding whether the Biden administration’s efforts to curtail mis- and disinformation online violates the First Amendment.
NetChoice’s Chris Marchese on Fighting Against Social Media Restrictions
NetChoice has challenged social media censorship laws in both Florida and Texas, and has been successful in recent months in challenging the constitutionality of online minor safety laws.
CREW’s Donald Sherman on the Insurrection Clause Challenge to Trump’s Candidacy
In an interview, Sherman reflected on the Supreme Court’s oral arguments and warned of the effects on democracy if Trump is not held accountable for his actions on Jan. 6, 2021.
Attorney Joshua Matz on E. Jean Carroll’s Legal Victory Against Donald Trump
The former Elle Magazine advice columnist has been awarded a total of $88.3 million in damages in her nearly six-year defamation legal battle against former President Donald Trump.
Press Freedom Advocate Caitlin Vogus on the Importance of the PRESS Act
In an interview, Caitlin Vogus, deputy director of advocacy at Freedom of the Press Foundation, discussed the importance of the PRESS Act and its proposed protections.
ACLU’s David Cole on the Decision to Represent the NRA Before the Supreme Court
In an interview, ACLU legal director David Cole, who will argue the NRA’s case in front of the Supreme Court, discussed protecting free speech rights despite disagreement.
Best-Selling Author Laurie Halse Anderson on Challenging Iowa’s Controversial Book Ban
The new Iowa law, which was temporarily blocked in December, sought to ban books containing sexual content in public school libraries and classrooms through sixth grade.
FIRE’s Will Creeley on Campus Speech Controversies Amid Israel-Hamas War
In an interview in January, FIRE's legal director Will Creeley discussed the First Amendment questions surrounding recent campus controversies.