Knight First Amendment Institute

So what happened to DOJ lawyers? @debpearlstein.bsky.social argues that they were long perceived as being at the top of the profession. But when partisanship started paying off, it created an incentive loop that helps explain where we are now.

What happens when lawyers stop believing law and politics are different? Tomorrow, "Lawyering Without Law" returns with Episode 3. @debpearlstein.bsky.social joins @katygb.bsky.social to discuss legal ethics, the rule of law, and erosion inside the profession and its consequences for democracy.

Government pressure on broadcasters raises serious First Amendment concerns. @jameeljaffer.bsky.social joined @karaswisher.bsky.social on @onwithkaraswisher.bsky.social to discuss FCC Chair Brendan Carr’s recent threats against broadcasters and how regulatory threats can chill speech.

If you’re looking for a holiday weekend listen, start here. In Episode 2 of "Lawyering Without Law," @lessig.bsky.social asks whether AI could radically improve law by lowering its cost and reshaping how legal services are delivered. Listen to the full episode: www.buzzsprout.com/2609059/epis...

Independent researchers help the public understand how social media platforms, AI, and other technologies shape everyday life. Following yesterday’s hearing in CITR v. Rubio, @thecoalition.bsky.social's @geurkink.bsky.social spoke about what’s at stake when that work gets silenced.

We tend to think of corruption as bribery. @lessig.bsky.social says that’s “actually the least significant kind.” Episode 2 of "Lawyering Without Law" drops on Friday. Lessig joins us to discuss institutional corruption and how economic influence pulls Congress away from its representative purpose.

“We’re very far into autocratic capture of our legal system.” That’s how @kimlanelaw.bsky.social describes the current moment—and what she breaks down in the first episode of Lawyering Without Law. Hosted by @katygb.bsky.social and Madhav Khosla. Listen: buzzsprout.com/2609059/episodes/19105365

Our first episode features @kimlanelaw.bsky.social of @princeton.edu delving into why “Big Law has just gone silent”—and what that signals for democracy in the U.S. Subscribe now so you don’t miss it: • Apple: bit.ly/4vZ8eeY • Spotify: bit.ly/3OW2eCX

New from the Knight First Amendment Institute: “Lawyering Without Law,” a podcast launching May 1. Hosted by @katygb.bsky.social and Madhav Khosla, it examines the role lawyers play in defending democracy or facilitating its decline. More: knightcolumbia.org/content/lawy...

🚨EVENT TOMORROW (3/27): Can Middleware Save Social Media? In wrestling with the power social media platforms exert over free speech, Congress has repeatedly debated legislation that would protect user privacy and give users more control over their experience online. Info & RSVP: bit.ly/3P3Uf6M

Middleware is third-party software that operates between users and platforms. Some free speech experts believe it could reshape social media. On 3/27, @knightcolumbia.org will host an event at @pressclubdc.bsky.social exploring what middleware could mean for #freespeech online. RSVP: bit.ly/3P3Uf6M

🗯️ Can #middleware save social media? Join @noupside.bsky.social, @nadinefj.bsky.social, @lehogg.bsky.social, @daphnek.bsky.social, @ryanheadedsouth.bsky.social, @rreisman.bsky.social, @oliviersylvain.bsky.social, @ethanz.bsky.social, @ramyakrishnan.bsky.social to discuss. RSVP: bit.ly/3P3Uf6M

The #immigration policy and its enforcement have instilled fear within the research community, causing some to curtail their work, withdraw from public advocacy, and reconsider their ability to continue working in the U.S. @protectdemocracy.org @thecoalition.bsky.social For more: bit.ly/4ulgjtx

We’re expecting Judge Young to issue a ruling in our AAUP v. Rubio case this week. Last week, @jameeljaffer.bsky.social joined @democracynow.org to explain the importance of our challenge to the Trump administration’s unconstitutional ideological deportation policy. 🔊 Listen below:

"We don't want the administration to be using this tragedy as a way to go after protected speech. [...] Bondi and others have gotten a lot of blowback on this, and they should, frankly," @katiefallow.bsky.social tells @msnbc.com's @arimelber.bsky.social. WATCH below ⬇️. www.msnbc.com/the-beat-wit...

🚨TOMORROW: We’re launching our new podcast series, “The Bully’s Pulpit: Trump v. The First Amendment.” Learn more in this preview from our host @cristianfarias.com and subscribe wherever you get podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

⬇️ TRAILER: We're excited to launch a brand new weekly podcast next Friday 5/16 – “The Bully’s Pulpit: Trump v. The First Amendment.” This series will follow the Trump administration’s assault on freedoms of speech and the press and feature the people, communities, and institutions fighting back.