Updates | The Week of October 16
President Trump’s repeated threats against the press have rarely resulted in action, but they undermine American values, writes Margaret Sullivan at The Washington Post.
Facing low approval ratings and a stalled agenda, President Trump actively stokes culture wars in the United States, argues Jonathan Easley at The Hill.
Responding to reports of false information and foreign infiltration in America, China has increased its online censorship efforts (NYTimes).
Florida Governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency ahead of white supremacist Richard Spencer’s scheduled speech at the University of Florida (Miami Herald).
President Trump's threats to punish the National Football League in response to athletes kneeling during the national anthem may strengthen a free speech argument in legal action, argues Tracy Jan at The Washington Post.
Stifling NFL players’ protests would be illegal, write Benjamin Sachs and Noah Zatz in the New York Times.
Ajit Pai, chairman of the FCC, said that the agency does not have authority to revoke a broadcast station’s license based on the content of a newscast, responding to President Trump’s contention that NBC should be penalized for critical coverage of the White House (WaPo, Ars Technica).
- Pai is sending the correct message, though First Amendment doctrine is more complicated, writes Eugene Volokh at the Volokh Conspiracy.