Transparency & Democracy
Ensuring access to information necessary for self-government
The First Amendment embraces the public’s right to access the information needed to hold the powerful accountable and participate fully in the process of self-government.
Our aim in defending and promoting transparency is not simply to compel the disclosure of information that the public is entitled to know, but to broaden public access to information through changes in government policy and the law.
Featured
Essays and Scholarship
After the Fall of the American Digital Empire
Between the U.S., China, and EU, the race for global technological dominance is intensifying.
By Anu BradfordLATEST NEWS & ANALYSIS
-
Institute Update
Call for Proposals: Permission to Speak Freely? Managing Government Employee Speech in a Democracy
Symposium to be held at Columbia University on April 5, 2024
-
Press Statement
Texas News Outlets and Criminal Justice Advocacy Group Challenge Caldwell County’s Closed-Door Hearing Policy
Say policy violates the First Amendment rights of the press and public to observe critically important hearings
LITIGATION & ADVOCACY
-
Lawsuit
The Texas Tribune v. Caldwell County
A case challenging the exclusion of the press and public from bail hearings in Caldwell County, Texas.
-
FOIA Lawsuit
Knight Institute v. CDC
A FOIA lawsuit seeking policies restricting CDC employees' speech
-
Lawsuit
National Association of Immigration Judges v. Neal
A lawsuit challenging a government policy silencing immigration judges
RESEARCH
-
Deep Dive : Jawboning
Jawboning as a Problem of Constitutional Evasion
Or why the "significant encouragement" test is not so bad
By Genevieve Lakier -
Deep Dive : Jawboning
Jawboning in the Era of New Governance
The increasing privatization of governance makes jawboning even more complicated.
By Hannah Bloch-Wehba -
Deep Dive : Jawboning
The Government’s Unbalanced Speech Rights Schema
The Fifth Circuit reopened the channels of political communication.
By Michael Glennon
Events
Center for Media & Design Auditorium, Santa Monica College, 1660 Stewart Street Santa Monica, CA 90404
Flashpoint: Protests, Policing, and the Press
Film Screening and Panel Discussion
Ford Foundation Center for Justice, 320 E. 43rd Street, New York, NY 10017
Covering Democracy: Protests, Police, and the Press
Reception, Advance Film Screening, and Panel Discussion
Barnard College - Diana Center - Event Oval
Boycott
A film screening and panel discussion about free speech and the far-reaching implications of anti-boycott laws