Freedom of speech and information
In 2025, journalists must negotiate a climate of legal uncertainty: ‘All ideological spectrums are vulnerable’
In an era of inflammatory rhetoric around the media, discussions about potential liability are even more important.
A new approach to striking a balance between free speech and safe speech
How comprehension quizzes transform the comment section into a participatory journalism space.
If your state doesn’t have an anti-SLAPP law, you should read this
This article is part of a larger partnership between the Reynolds Journalism Institute and Society of Professional Journalists to update and improve the resources available to journalists regarding strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs).
Welcome to Agenda Watch
A platform to help journalists keep watch on local government
Good intentions for unpublishing may create unintended inequities
If you are working in a newsroom, you probably already know the challenges surrounding low-level crime reporting today. Crime briefs and the publication of mugshots drive a substantial number of unpublishing requests by individuals looking to shield these digital reminders of their past, often about old arrests or convictions. This has caused at least one … Continued
Hyperlocal solutions flourish to keeps Latinos informed
There are 59 million Latinos in the U.S., composing 18% of the national population. Latinos are the largest ethnic group in the country, yet there is a lack of national or, in most cases, state communications strategies to keep them informed. And now during COVID-19, timely and effective communication can make the difference between life … Continued
Facing the pressure to unpublish
This project represents my commitment to helping the industry solve a problem that editors say is rising in importance: how to respond to requests by members of the public to “unpublish”—typically meaning deleting or significantly altering—online news content that identifies them in a way that they would rather forget. Often, but not always, the request … Continued
Redefining local journalism: What is news?
Since the advent of the Internet, many people have increasingly wondered: What is “news” in a universe of infinite information? What is a journalist’s role when anyone can publish a story and report the “Truth”? David Caswell, Executive Product Manager of BBC News Labs, asks the most urgent question of all: “Does society still need news publishers … Continued
How racism and discrimination affect Latino journalists
As human rights activists and journalists, we have worked for several decades to defend freedom of expression and freedom of the press in Latin American countries experiencing authoritarian regimes. We have struggled to overcome these challenges and gain fundamental rights and freedoms. Our RJI fellowship, an institutional fellowship with our organization, Fundamedios, in Washington D.C. … Continued
Fellowship investigates discrimination against Latino journalists in the U.S.
The Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute awarded seven fellowships for the 2020–21 academic year for projects that address the increasing challenges in covering climate change, unpublishing, harassment of marginalized journalists and more. A team from Fundamedios wants to gain a better understanding of the challenges and threats facing Latino journalists living in the U.S. in … Continued