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Freedom of Expression

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At Knight Foundation, our belief in freedom of expression is one of our core values and a longstanding pillar of our work. But free expression faces new challenges in the digital age: news organizations, longstanding champions of First Amendment issues that reverberate beyond media, say lower traditional revenues are restricting their ability to pursue legal cases. New media platforms are sparking debate about the regulation of speech. 

And on college and high school campuses and in cities across the United States, protests are sparking questions about the right to assemble and when, if ever, the First Amendment should be restricted.

Through research, education and support for initiatives such as the Free Speech Project at Georgetown University, we're helping to defend these basic rights.

Why we must champion the First Amendment in the digital age

By Eric Newton, Arizona State University

Knight Foundation announced its largest journalism grant ever in creating the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University. The institute will seek to understand and explain what First Amendment law is and should be in the digital age, but more than that, it will go to court to preserve and expand free expression.

Why? Because America sorely needs new First Amendment champions. Half the news leaders recently polled in a Knight-funded survey said the news industry is no longer prepared to defend the First Amendment. Attacks on our freedoms are escalating, and changing technology will bring new waves of cases. (Read more)

<p>Students at historically black colleges and universities more likely to favor limits on press&rsquo; right to cover campus protests, express less trust in media, <a href="http://www.knightfoundation.org/reports/hbcu-free-speech-campus">Gallup survey shows</a></p>

Students at historically black colleges and universities more likely to favor limits on press’ right to cover campus protests, express less trust in media, Gallup survey shows

Report: How students at historically black colleges and universities interpret their First Amendment rights

    An enabling environment for press freedom?

    A survey of leading U.S. news leaders finds that the industry is 'less able' to pursue First Amendment cases than it was 10 years ago, largely due to financial concerns.

      Free Speech on Campus

      College campuses are becoming a battleground for free speech issues.
        Free speech on college campuses, a survey by Gallup that polled U.S. college students.
        Free speech on college campuses, a survey by Gallup that polled U.S. college students.

        First Amendment Institute

        Based at Columbia University, the First Amendment Institute will support litigation, research and education on threats to freedom of speech and the press, and help shape First Amendment law in digital media.

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